IT'S DONE YAY

When I first set the tank up I overdid the ammonia, after a few days use some put Tetra Safe Start Water Conditioner, 50 ml into the water, but since then have done a 90% water change and not added any more, my plants were from a plant only tank from a shop, I added some amazon swords from Andy earlier in the week I think they were from a tank with fish but it was going up before I added them.
 
The Plant food is " Love Fish Plant Food is nitrate and phosphate free so avoids encouraging unwanted algae."
I have only added 20 ml of this over that last 2 weeks as it is a weekly feed.

My Plants are growing I can see new growth on all and the grass that died off is sprouting in some places as well so all seems good for them.

I do still have the fine sponge in the filter alongside the carbon one should I maybe take that out now.?

The carbon will be removing the fertiliser and getting clogged by it so I would agree on removing it

What is the carbon? It could be a bag of granules, a carbon impregnated sponge or a cartridge (a flat bag of carbon held on a plastic frame). What to replace it with depends on what shape it is.

In that case, all you need is another piece of sponge, any brand, and cut it to the same size and shape as the carbon sponge. I would look for a cheap filter sponge so that it will be the right type of sponge. A bath sponge isn't, for example. (Some sponges are designed to hold water, others to allow water to run through them. Obviously filter sponges need to be the kind that let water run trough  )

I have't had problems when they've done that because I do a bigger than usual water change the day before the first date on the card and the next one at least 2 days after the second date. That way anything in the pipes has had chance to be flushed out before I put any water in my tanks.
It is annoying though when you get a second card saying they couldn't do it the first time so they'll be doing it instead on these new dates.

Ok so The tests today are.
PH: 7.4 ish,
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 20-30
Nitrite: 0

I was worried about the Nitrate so took a sample to A.M. Aquatics on the team valley Gateshead they tested my water and it is ready to go. I showed him all my reading he did a test with their testing equipment and all was spot on with my readings. I bought 2 Assasin snails as I am getting loads of Malaysian snails after a bit chat with him, he suggested that my tank will get overrun with them and would be better with Assasins as they do not breed as much and will be just as good for the tank. Tomorrow I am picking up my first fish  Yippee....

I am getting some neons as he says they would be fine, and happy to test everyday fingers crossed. Thank You to everyone that has helped me out I am very happy it has finally worked. Bxxxx

@Aquarius Barbara new fish day is very exciting. Please post pics when your fish have settled. 

@Sue I'm glad that you mentioned problems with the SF site as I was wondering where all the information was and thought it was a problem with my computer. 

As for information and advice given at fish stores, it can be very variable. I've only been enjoying the wonderful world of fish for a couple of years, and have spent a lot of time at various stores talking to the staff and listening to them talk to other customers. I have checked information given with that available on various sites, and also here, and am now generally comfortable with who to listen to at the shops. I have even met a member of staff at a branch of Pets@Home who gave me a faily detailed grilling about my tank and quarantine tank when I wanted to buy some otocinclus (there were none in stock at the stores I'd usually go to). This lady was very firm about the requirement for fishless cycling, and also only adding otos to mature tanks. I was quite pleased with what I witnessed, so perhaps some P@H are more reliable than others.
Last weekend I was at a local MA and saw them testing the water sample that a customer had brought , as she'd had a problem with her fishless cycle. After testing the sample and talking to the customer they found that she'd rinsed the filter media in tap water. They explained the problem to her, told her what to do, and refused to sell her any fish, telling her to return with another sample when the cycle was back on track.
Yesterday I was at an independant LFS to pick up some live food, and was chatting with a member of staff who I trust. He'd gone to the George V Joe aquascaping competition recently, and had taken a detour or more than 20 miles to visit another store. He said that he was very disappointed to see that they were selling tank buster fish, and that the tanks didn't seem to have enough decor/hides for the fish they contained, both things that he obviously felt quite strongly about.
There is a lot of conflicting information available everywhere, which can be very confusing. I feel that sites like this one are absolutely invaluable for the years of experience available, and the friendly atmosphere that encourages people to ask questions. Sometimes it's a case of finding out as much information as possible, discussing the information with trusted sources, trying our best to get things right, and keeping a close eye on all of the aquatic friends under our care.
 

This is all making me very worried the guy at the shop really seemed to know what he was talking about, I also had the same conversation with the gut at Fish Alive in Durham and he told me the same, I am going to go ahead and get the fish today and just see how it goes. Thanks for all your comments. Bx

Yes I did and it cleared that is why I had it checked. Just putting in my fish now 6 neon tetras and 6 harlequins. Fingers crossed.