Acceptable Levels

Question
Hi I we just got a 10 gallon starter tank about 4 weeks ago.  We have a few aquatic frogs and we added 2 tropical fish about 2 weeks ago.  I purchased a water testing kit and assumed that the acceptable limits of all the parameters like pH, nitrates, ammonia etc.  Currently the pH is 7.7, nitrates are about 1.3 mg/l, ammonia is 0.  There are a few things that concern me so far, the tester kit I have for nitrates only goes up to 3.3 mg/l and I am half way there is there any reason for alarm?  Also there is this brown slimy stuff growing on everything from the inside glass wall to the gravel to the artificial plants. So far I have siphoned out the debris on the bottom of the tank a few times but ofcourse the brown slimy stuff does not come up.  I have taking the gravel and washing outside of the tank.  Wiping down the glass with my hand.  Any tips or suggestions as to what this stuff is and how to deal with it would be greatly appreciated.  We were getting ready to add a couple more fish but I want to make sure that we have a decent tank to bring them home to.

Answer
Hi Greg,
What kind of test kit are you using? Sometimes liquid test kits a much better to use in the long run because they give a wider range of readings plus they are more accurate than strips if that's what you're using.
If the nitrates are really that low, at 1.3 (and you don't mean nitrites right?) you are fine exactly where you are at. The brown slimy stuff is common with new aquariums, and usually due to the system balancing out. Brown algae  can usually be removed by continually wiping it off and siphoning it out as much as you can. Ottocinclus are rumored to eat this and keep the tank free of it pretty good. But don't count on it. Keep trying with removing it manually and try a few extra water changes. It usually goes away on its own with time but you can do those things to help it along.

I really hope this helps, if you have anymore questions, feel free to write!
Karen~