First Test Kits And Results

[bluesword23516]

So I finally got my own test kit.  Wow, hurting my pocket.  But it seems worth it, so I would like some help to make sure everything is alright.
PH 7.6
Ammonia 0-.25ppm  (it was an in between color)
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
 
I have guppies and neon tetras. 
I recently added 5 small cherry shrimp and a TON of plants (live).  Don't the plants affect the nitrate? Anyways, any help is wanted and needed!  

 

[Ninjouzata]

Did you do a high pH test as well? Ammonia should be at 0. Have you tested your tap water? What dechlorinator are you using? How did you cycle the tank?

 

[bluesword23516]

Yeah, it's says 7.6 you might have just missed it. Ammonia is close to zero. It was slightly green, but not much. My tank dechlorinator is Jungle: start right. I did a fish in cycle. This was before I knew about cycling.

 

[Ninjouzata]

What I meant by the high pH test is 7.6 is the max of the pH. So it's good to do a high pH test to see if it's really that or something higher. Sounds like you checked though Sorry
 
Did you add more fish recently?

 

[bluesword23516]

I added five small shrimp so that could be the ammonia, but I doubt it. Are the nitrates way too high?

 

[Ninjouzata]

Did you test your tap for nitrates? I think most people aim for no more than 20ppm more than what comes out of their tap. 40 is fine though.

 

[bluesword23516]

Ok, no I didn't test the tap. But as long as 40 is ok then I will just let it do it's thing. I added more plants yesterday and the day before. They lower nitrates right?

 

[Ninjouzata]

Yes though some are better at it than others. Like dwarf water lettuce and hornwort would be better than anubias. You still need to do water changes though.

 

[bluesword23516]

I do, I just did one on Wednesday.