Project Fish Tank

[s72450]

Tested just a few minutes ago and got the following results.

Ammonia - 2
Nitrite - 5
Nitrate - 5

I'm a little worried that my Nitrates have lowered and that my Nitrites are rising. I'm curious what to do.

[s72450]

Tested today with the following results.

Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 2.0
Nitrate - 5.0

I added one teaspoon of pure ammonia. I wish the cycle would increase somewhat, but I'm being patient. I found some aquatic planting soil at ACE Hardware and plan on picking up a few bags this weekend if they have it in stock. I also plan to get some sandstone slabs to build a "rock wall" within the tank to have two levels, one about five inches high heavily planted and then the lower level, about an inch of substrate and some java mass planted throughout.

[s72450]

So my testing is finally clean, I believe my tank has cycled. I clearly read 0, 0, 10 across the boards whenever I check. I'd like my nitrates to be a bit larger, but I'm okay with what I have at present time.

Tommorow I should be getting in the flourite that I ordered, as well as the glass top that will cover the tank. I'm going to go in search of a good light strip probably next week and hopefully start stocking my tank with fish the week after.

Right now I have the following planned for the tank, suggestions and comments are appreciated.

2 Blood Parrots
6-9 Green Tiger Barbs
10-12 Corys
2 Gourami(Not sure what kind yet)

Eventually I'd like to get a school of otos, but that remains to be seen when I can find them.

So what do you all think?