Your parameters look fine to me. How old is the tank? If your tap has 10ppm nitrates and your not dosing any nitrates but your at 40-80ppm then either your test kit is off, your cycling still or something is leeching nitrates. I think your plants are still adjusting to their new submerged life, I would give it more time, the melting is normal. As far as the soil sitting in a bucket for a long time I'd be worried about possible mold issues especially if it was wet with the lid on. Just keep an eye on it.
P.s. plants don't have to pearl to grow.
P.s. plants don't have to pearl to grow.