Cycling problem??

Question
Will, I have a question about my 55 gal. aquarium.  It has been up and running for about 5 weeks.  I decided to cycle the aquarium with fish.  I added 5 zebra danios and 5 platys.  I am running 2 aquatech 30-60 power filters, no undergravel filter.  My initial readings were: Ammonia .5, ph 7.8, nitrites 0, nitrates zero.  After about 1 week, my ammonia was at 2-3ppm, my nitrites went up to 1, and my nitrates went to 5.  About 1 week later, my readings were Ammonia 1-2ppm, nitrites 0, and nitrates are at 5.  My readings have stayed the same since.  How can my ammonia be so high, with no nitrites and a low nitrate reading.  I am also getting alot of brown algae on artificial plants and decorations.  I have been doing partial water changes about every 4 days.  My fish are not diseased, and are showing no sign of distress at all.  I feed them sparingly once a day.  My water temp is around 78 degrees F.  I am trying to figure out what is going on in there, but haven't been able to find anyone with the same problem.  So, after 5 weeks of cycling with fish, my ammonia is high, my nitrites fell to 0, and I am showing very little nitrates, and my fish seem as happy as clams.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer
Wes, I pulled this question out of the question pool. I hope this answer reaches you. Straight to the point, typically if ammonia is present, you may have a increase is Nitrite reading. This isn't ALWAYS true. You said that you had brown algae growing which is not always bad thing unless its everywhere!!, your nitrate reading has shown that this was coming. Normally nitrites are the more toxic "bad" bacteria so to speak. The nitrates which show beneficial to cycling, are positive unless out of control. This normally is algae or beneficial bacteria which makes algae or aquatic plants grow, in turn, the nitrites are removed from the water and turned into food for the algae and or plants. Ammonia is used up by the algae therefore the more ammonia, the more food for algae. Like I said, good, but can be bad as well. There's no reason to worry about the quality of the water if you don't have a problem with nitrites. I can't remember the last time I tested just for ammonia. This is because if ammonia is present at a fatal level, normally nitrites will be higher too. Hence the reason nitrites are more deadly with a lower ppm than nitrates per say. I hope I haven't confused you. Feel free to contact me in the future no matter what the issue. Please rate this if you would. God luck. And no worries, it sounds like you have it all under control!