First off, hello I'm Jay, I'm new to the group and this is my first post. I have decided to get my very first aquarium set up and sorry but I am a genuine noob and I am learning on the go. I did a fair amount of research as I am someone that likes to know what I am getting myself into but there is no knowledge that will come from a book or website that is better then talking to ppl who have been doing it for a while which is why I am coming to you fine ppl. I picked up a tank on craigslist from a person who was moving and didn't want to haul his tank. I think I got a really good deal but unfortunately the sale came with an unexpected catch. The tank had fish he didn't want anymore and he had nowhere else to put them so I had to take them. He said since the tank was already established that this wouldn't be a problem. So wearily I took the tank and fish home after he emptied I would say about 80% of the water. Once I got home I setup the tank and immediately began to research the fish. Right away I knew the guy didn't have much of a clue since he couldn't even tell me the kind of fish he had. Once I was setup and turned on the light I realized some of the fish were in really bad shape. I'm assuming from keeping incompatible fish. After doing research I found out he gave me 2 silver dollar fish maybe 3 as a third one looks similar just smaller but not silvery he is white, not sure on his species yet, he also gave me a danio, he was really dark at first but after I setup the tank he lightened up and started to show his blue streaks. Also 2 algae Eater fish, and 3 snails. 2 are apple snails and the other is a blue snail. The 2 bigger silver dollar fish are in really bad shape. They have almost no fins, like if a fish was biting their fins and their scales that should be shiny are almost completely gone. Only have a couple shiny ones left. The tank is a 35 gallon hexagon tank, I have it on a fluval aquaclear powerfilter 70 gallon 200 gph, I have an eheim 200 watt adjustable temp heater, artificial plants and some hiding places. I know I have to get rid of silver dollars as the tank will be too small. I just want to keep the danio and the algae eaters and snails as a clean up crew if it's a good idea. What you you guys think?? Now. My questions are I don't know what to expect since I have never done this before when it comes to the nitrogen cycle. I filled up tank with dechlorinized water. I bought an api freshwater master test kit. On day 1 the pH was at 7.2, ammonia .25, nitrite 0, and nitrate 0. Today day 2, ph 7.8, ammonia .50, nitrite .25, nitrate 2.5 are my number reading okay and what can I expect? What should I look out for?? Any advice at all would really help and would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the really long post.