Are these water kit numbers ok?

[karen]

My 10 gallon tank (only filled halfway w/ water) has been running for 48 hours, with filter running and live plants in it. Earlier today I introduced a frozen bloodworm cube (I have it submerged in a net so as to not get all over the place). I took some readings today: pH = 6.6 - 6.8, ammonia = 0 ppm, nitrite = 0 ppm, nitrate = 40 ppm. Are these numbers acceptable (meaning, can I put my newts in the tank?) or should I wait alittle longer and take some more readings? I thought the ammonia and nitrite levels were supposed to go up then crash to zero.

 

[ian]

sound alright to me, seems like it is cycled. I suggest you do some water change and then introduce one of your newts in there just in case.

 

[ali]

Hey Karen, a few suggestions about the bloodworms:
After you introduce your newts, you could place a small dish in the tank to put the worms in. The newts will soon understand that's where their food gets put (and you can take uneaten stuff out later). Or you could feed them in a separate container (I'd suggest the first recommendation).

I know this isn't really applicable to what you said, but I think feeding dishes are the best things since sliced bread, so I thought I'd throw the idea out there (even though you probably already know about it).

 

[jennifer]

Cycling takes much longer than 48 hours! You either need to continue adding bloodworm juice, or go ahead and add the newts, then monitor the levels daily for the next month or two. That's how long the cycling process takes.
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml