Bought A Fish Tank.

First I'd do a dilution test to check the nitrite reading. The result will only be approximate as you need very sensitive measuring equipment and distilled water to get an accurate result, but an approximate one will be good enough for these purposes.

Use one fifth tank water topped up with four fifths tap water and test. If the result is a lot less than before, it was an accurate reading so you don't need to do a water change (15ppm is the danger level but the testers don't go that high). If it is the same, or right at the top of the colour chart, then your reading of 2 was off the top and yes, do a water change.

So we are going away on Wednesday, back Sunday.
I've noticed the tank water has a green tinge to it, so thought I'd cover it up while we are away to block out the light and discourage the algae. Will this be ok for the plants, bearing in mind they are freebies and I'm buying more at some point? Or should I just do it straight away, not wait til Wednesday? I've already unplugged the light so my husband can't switch it on then fall asleep on the sofa til 3am, like he did last night!  (Yes I know, I need to buy a timer so this doesn't happen and I'm in control of the light!)
Also with regards to cycling, i don't suppose it'll matter me being away for a bit? I mean shall I play it by ear and see what the parameters are like on Wednesday morning and act accordingly? Or is there something specific to do if you are away?
Thanks.

Oh, and pH 7.6

I'm testing pH on low range kit only, just to check there's no pH crash, rather than to get an exact figure atm.

Thanks Colin.

That's strange 'cos my Cube40 pump runs quietly with the water level 35mm below the brim in the main tank and 43mm below the brim in the pump compartment.

Have a good break. Going anywhere exotic?

Good news and bad,
On return from our stay up north, the pump was making a terrible chugging noise, which was corrected by topping up the water, almost to overflowing. It still coughs now and again though.
Test results this afternoon were two big fat zeroes for ammonia and nitrite. So I've topped up to 1 ppm ammonia for now. (more by luck than judgement, but have decided to leave it there until tomorrow)

I've got the pump set to minimum and I still think it's a bit strong. I'm goint to put a little wadge <sp?> of filter foam in the outlet pipe to try and slow it down a bit.

I'm still puzzled by the behaviour of your pump compared to mine. Mine's all but silent with 1" of space above the water. It's an AquaOne 102 model..... I don't know if it's been changed in later releases of the tank.

Found a baby ramshorn snail today, on my sideboard. Popped it back in the tank. It sure gets about! Will it survive in a tropical tank, they are coldwater species aren't they? Mum has some in her pond at hers.

Well, unless this one followed you home from your last visit to your mother's, I would say it probably came from your tank.  And yes, they will prosper in a tropical tank... unless you are lucky

Just found the elodea I got from mum's pond in a temporary tank in the garden, so the snails weren't from there.
Unless they came in through the back door. (Like the slugs sometimes do)

Big water change the other day may have put back my cycle somewhat! Ammonia munchers seem ok, but nitrites are up to five plus. Will do a dilution test later to see how high.

Got some zebra snails yesterday, three for eight pounds!! Cheaper than pets at home which were two for nine pounds, but as one of them turned out to be dead, not much!

They are quite pretty though. But eight pounds for snails! I keep seeing big juicy ones in the garden and wanting to throw them in the tank!

Oh, ok, thanks Sue, I was but I have somewhere else for them while it cycles.