Fishless Cycle Test Results - what is going on?

[jonana1]

Hello
i've never had a fish tank before but have recently purchased a 60 litre biorb secondhand. It came with the used filter and media but I didn't fill it up immediately as I didn't have time. However when I did get round to setting up the tank the media and filter were both still wet so I'm not sure if any of the good bacteria survived. The tank has been running for just over a week and I've been adding the recommended amount of ammonia for 3ppm. I've tested every day and these are the results:
Day 1 Ammonia 2ppm Nitrite 0
Day 2 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0
Day 3 Ammonia 1ppm Nitrite 0
Day 4 Ammonia 0.25ppm Nitrite 0
Day 5 Ammonia 1ppm Nitrite 0
Day 6 Ammonia 0.25ppm Nitrite 0
Day 7 Ammonia .5 ppm Nitrite 0

However today I thought i'd do a Nitrate test just to see if any of the good bacteria were there and doing anything and my reading was between 40 and 80ppm - hard to read colour in dingy light! So my question is do you think the bacteria have survived enough to start stocking as my Nitrate levels are up or should I continue with the fishless cycle? I also have a question re ph levels - our water is VERY hard and my ph reading is 8.2 - what is the ideal level for guppies and dwarf gourami?

Thanks
Jo

 

[KcMopar]

I would stop dosing the ammonia and only do a tiny pinch of food a day to feed the bacteria. Once you show zero ammonia and zero nitrite you can add fish. I would also do a 50% water change and knock down that nitrate as well so you can stay ahead of it. I try to not let mine get over 40PPM max and I really shot for nothing over 20PPM in my freshwater. The pH of 8.2 is just fine, dont chase it with chemicals as these only last a day or two. If you pH is like this you just need to acclimate your fish well and they will be just fine.

 

[jonana1]

Thank you for taking the time to reply! I may have to move the tank in next couple of days so will do a water change then!

 

[OrangeCones]

I would also recommend checking the nitrate levels as you progress, to make sure it's climbing over time.