Water? What Level Should It Be?

[doddc]

can anyone help me? i have been bought a tank for my birthday (not the best surprise prescent) i want to do the best for the fish know i ahev them, all the books say about water quality and monitoring it but dont actually say what it should be. dose anyone know what the levels should be for
1) what should the ph level be?
2) general hardness ppmm be?
3) carbonate hardness ppmm be?
4) nitrate ppmm be?
5) nitrite ppmm be?

any info would be greaty appreciated,

a very confused tank owener!