New(ish)3 gal tank

[bigkingpin]

Hey everybody!

I wouldn't exactly say I am new to the aquarist world, that's actually my job now, but I have been out of the hobby for a few years.  I recently got back into it and want to do it right this time, I recall all my previous times I feel like I rushed things.  It lead to a half managed, oddly thrown together tank with a decent mortality rate.  This time I'm taking it slow, now going through a fishless cycle, about to enter my third week.  Anyways I know my nitrogen levels will vary widely currently, but I wanted to share my nutrient readings, I just did earlier today.  I am looking for advice on possible suggestions on plants and fish to consider, plants maybe another week or two, but fish probably not for another minimum 3 weeks.  I do have some money, but I will be honest I will not be buying RO or an RO filter, or whatever, just to make my tank perfect.  Ideally I would like to keep it relatively simple using city tap water.  Possibly salt water is a better option for my tank given the water conditions, I'm just not sure, so I am looking for advice from some veterans to help point me in the right direction to run this tank right, I am in no hurry this time around.  I will try to keep regular updates with the new chemistry levels, I test weekly right now. Anyways here is the current water conditions:
4/6/18
pH - 8.2
Nitrite - 5 ppm
Ammonia ~ 3 ppm
Nitrate - 10 ppm
KH - 7 deg./ 140 ppm
GH - 21 deg./ 380 ppm

Thoughts, advice, etc. are greatly appreciated, and I look forward to discuss this with others soon!

[russ]

What do you have inside your aquarium? The readings you posted for a 3rd week into a fishless break-in don't seem right. Also, you may need to be testing more than once per week.

[bigkingpin]

Currently there is nothing in the tank at all.  Okay, I had considered that, but had expected the nitrifying process wasn't complete.

[bigkingpin]

Update:

Water chems 4/10:
Nitrate 0 ppt
Nitrite 5 ppt
Ammonia ~ 2ppt

I added about 25% water, and on closer inspection of the tank I noticed small mollusks in the tanks, some kind of snail I'm guessing.  Not really sure how they would be alive this tank has been dry for probably be almost 2 years.  Any thoughts?  I fished all of them out, but there may be some left hiding.  I will update in a few days with new chem levels.  Let me know with any thoughts for the tank.

[russ]

Are doing a fishless cycling for your tank?

[bigkingpin]

Yes, I am running a fishless cycle