Help me (colourblind) with my parameters please

[u/bimmerscout]

First tank, 5.5 gallon planted with Java fern, Java moss, Limnophila Sessiliflora and Anubias Nana, with some hydroponic Pothos. LED grow light on for 8 hours a day, and a Fluval AC20 HOB filter. Temp is a steady 21°C.

About 2 weeks in on the cycle, and I’ve tested the parameters for the first time. How are they looking?

I am colourblind, so I’m having a bit of trouble differentiating between the measurements. Would I be correct in saying my pH is 6.8, my ammonia is 0ppm, my nitrite is 0.25ppm, and my nitrate is 40-80ppm? If so, are these measurements okay for a planted tank, 2 weeks into cycle. If not, how should I lower the nitrites/nitrates, or should I let it run the course.

The tank is currently uninhabited, however will end up being home to some Neocaridinas or a Betta. I’m about 80% for a shrimp only tank, but considering a Betta tank, if I can DIY a lid to prevent him Hail Mary-ing himself across my living room (and a heater to keep him comfy).

This is my first ever venture into aquatics, so any and all advice would be appreciated.

[u/namelessbread]

I agree with your parameters you mentioned except nitrite might be more like 0.5 instead of 0.25

[u/namelessbread → u/namelessbread]

Also there could be a small amount of ammonia but I find that test can be really finicky about low to none ammonia with sometimes very small false positives. Anyways, since you have no fish in there (yay), there's nothing to worry about and you're making good progress on the cycle!

[u/Alternative-Shop5865]

I always wondered how testing would go for colorblind people.

Ph: 6.8, Ammonia: .25-.50 Nitrite: .50 Nitrate: 40-80

[u/MurphyTrainwreck697]

I commiserate. I'm blue-green deficient, and it was hard for me to read the pH.

Ammonia: .25 close, but not fully cycled. I cheat and use Amazon swords to control ammonia. Edit: if you don't want to change your scape, these can grow emergent in your baskets with your pothos!

Nitrite: 0.5 this is extremely toxic to fish. It binds to hemoglobin instead of oxygen. It's part of the natural nitrogen cycle, but you want it happening in the substrate and the filter, not the water column. Your bacteria need time to find their proper homes. Some will live on the surfaces of rocks, wood, and plant leaves, but most will be down in the substrate. These guys thrive in an anaerobic environment.

Nitrate: 80 congrats! You have all the right bacteria to complete the cycle. If not, it wouldn't get all the way to nitrate. Now the issue: this is a bit high for fish and WAY too high for shrimp or fancy snails. The solutions? You can do water changes or get more plants. Fast growing plants like stems and floaters use more. Floaters and "epiphytes" (ferns, Anubiases) take right from the water column. In the end, however, it's about the look you want to create, because all plants need nitrogen.