Nitrates

I am still testing pretty often, I started testing ph, kH, nitrate ammonia and nitrite daily and then went to every 2 days and now every 3 days since they have been 0 for a few weeks even after the addition of fish and a CUC. Nitrates vary usualy from 5-20 depending where I am in my waterchange schedule which I have been doing 10gal every week (thinking of decreasing to 5gal weekly). My pH and kH are what drive me nuts and seems to vary from 7.8-8.2 and 11-16. I read the links in your signature very interesting makes me wonder if I added the 2 little fish to soon.

 

IMO you added them too soon, but that's done now so don't stress about it. Just keep an eye on the parameters like you're doing (ammonia is most important to watch for the fish). I would also wait at least a month before adding another fish just to wait out any major parameter swings. When you do add 1 new fish, check the ammonia shortly after, too. Each new addition will create waste/ammonia & you need to let your bacteria build up to support the breakdown of it to nitrate.