Test Levels in Tank - New Tank Cycling

Question
I just used the Jungle 6 tests in one strip on my tank and I am a little confused as to how I am suppose to read the results. I think according to what I see, my Nitrate level is very low along with my Nitrite level. My hardiness looks to be about normal  but my Alkalinity level is very low compared to the color it shows on the box. From what I have read Alkalinity has to do with PH, but my PH level is normal ... So what do I do to adjust my Alkalinity level without effecting my PH. The tank has only been running for about four days now without any fish in it . I don't know if that effects my testing or not. I would just like to know what to look for to give me the go ahead that the water is safe enough to put fish in. Thanks
Kristen

Answer
Hi Kristen,

You actually don't have to be too technical before adding fish. You need to add some fish now, to start the 'cycling process'. Choose a hardy species, and get 2-3 fish to start the cycling process. I would recommend Zebra Danios. The cycling process is where beneficial bacteria (from the air) get established (in your tank), and they remove ammonia, which is toxic to fish. Ammonia is produced from fish waste, as it decomposes. Here's how it works:

Ammonia is produced by fish waste.
After a week, the bacteria gets established, ans they convert ammonia into nitrite, another toxic chemical.
Then, after 3 weeks or so, the nitrite gets turned into nitrate, a relatively harmless chemical, by a different group of bacteria.

This process is called the 'nitrogen cycle', and I've just explained it to you in a nutshell.

You are not getting any test results for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate because there is NOTHING in the tank, no organic matter. It is 'dead' water. When you add a couple of fish, you will see the ammonia levels go up.

The cycling process takes about a month to finish, and during that period, fish loss will be highest. To prevent ammonia/nitrite levels from going too high, perform 20% water changes every other day during this time.

See this for more info:

http://www.worldcichlids.com/faqs/cycling.html

If your pH is normal, you don't have to worry about the alkalinity that much. It's not really a big problem for most freshwater tanks.

Good Luck with your fish!