This is almost like going into labor, but I think my tank is finally starting to cycle. On Friday, Feb.3, it will be two weeks since I got the aquarium up and running and have been faithful about my tests and adding fish food (and trying to keep my impatience in control.) My Ph level has dropped a little to 8.0 -which I'm ignoring Nossie , my Ammonia is right inbetween .0 and 0.25, my Nitrite is climbing to .50 (which got me the most exciting because it should do this and drop back down, right?) and my Nitrate is at 5.0 (climbing as well). I got up this morning to find water just a tad cloudy, when it was crystal clear yesterday, so said to myself "either I'm really screwing up or this is a good thing-let's test the water"
So there you have it. This process is taking longer than a regular labor, but thankfully none of the pain involved
Have a great Wednesday and will keep everyone updated
Debbie

Cloudy water is just the bacteria growing, they'll settle soon. My tank went cloudy and I was like 'well this filter is doing a terrible job!' then I realised it was the bacteria

Hi All,
Just a quick update. Levels are still rising Ammonia 0.50, Nitrite 2.0 and Nitrate 5.0 so I feel like we are really starting to get somewhere. The Java ferns are not looking well at all, but I'm hoping to replace them this weekend and add a couple of other plants also. Really ready to add the fish to their new home, but patience, patience. It's hard but I'm doing it!
Wishing everyone a great week.
Debbie

Yes, but remember, when I first brought them home they were in containers, so I didn't get to see the root system. There weren't much roots to talk about and they were a little squishy and some of the leaves were broken on the plants. The other plants I bought are doing well, these were just bad from the beginning but I thought I would give them a chance to see if they would come back  
Apparently not   but we tried. I'm not giving up though. I'm going to try a different store this time and see if I have better luck.

No problem, mine doesn't work that well either I put a new pic up, hadn't thought about doing that until you mentioned it. Thank you again for all of your help and support, this is a very nice forum with a lot of great advice.
Debbie