on the ph issue: I couldn't find a KH testing kit at my LFS. I have ph reulator stuff to make it 7.0, but I heard that if i use it before the ammonia comes down it could make the water toxic. I haven't tested my tap water's ph. I'll get on that. I'm not sure what in a tank could lower the ph? I would buy a bigger aquarium but I really just wanna cycle this one before I lose my mind. : /
I've done 3 water changes (10-25%) every day for the past 3 days and the ammonia levels haven't changed from 8ppm. So, as a supplement to my ammonia removing adventure I bought some activated carbon/zeolite which is supposed to help.
I only feed them a little bit once a day so I don't think that's the problem.
Thank you thorpbrian for the Tetra Safe Start recommendation.