Well we're 10 days into the new system. Water tests as follows:
ammonia = 0
nitrites = less than 0.1 (still the slightest tinge of pink grrr)
nitrates = 10
pH = 7.5
temp = 69 to 70 degrees

Haven't done much except add the stability every day and today some salt since Tailer's tail is progressing no further. The water has a lot of dust floating around in it and doesn't seem to be disipating. Rinsed the microparticle mesh in the filter to see if this would help but there was no change. Need to get a replacement pad since the unit has been running for more than 5 weeks and instructions say to do maintenance every month. Hoping to go to the BIG fish store on Wednesday to see if there is a tiny treasure in need of a loving home and fish friend ♥ Quarantine tank has pristine water except the pH is half a reading lower (7.0) - weird :S

The water looks grainy? Maybe it's connected to some dirt in the gravel? It doesn't matter how carefully you clean the gravel and you'll end up with some dust in your tank! xD But the filter should deal with it shortly

Hope you'll find a sweet little friend in the shop!

I still haven't qualified to the fish hoader yet. Darn it!

I find it necessary to have about 2 inches of gravel in my tank otherwise my goldies are constantly uprooting the plants
But if Mr. Tailer is well behaved then 1 inch of gravel should be fine lol.

Depends. does the odour smell like fish?? Because apparently my room smells like old fish all the time. I don't notice it because I sleep with my fishies, but... I think it's normal...

ok it smells like damp earth - good one many thankies

thanks Minde I do have to replace one layer in the filter and this is probably why I will pick up some charcoal carbon tomorrow too!

In my external filter I only have one level to put media in.  This is the order, first is a black sponge, bio stars (same as bio rings/balls) then chem zorb pouch that contains both carbon and absorbant resin then the top is a fine microfilter pad kind of like pillow stuffing. Some things are rechargeable and last 6 months others need changing every 30 to 40 days. I think I may try the ammonia removing pouch since my tap water tends to have 0.50 ppm to begin with. I will most likely add a very little amount more just to anchor plants

Yes they become inactive, where they cannot absorb any more impurities.

good to know Minde and Nossie 

thank you Hanna

definitely a con if you have to swallow it after ingesting something toxic *hurl