cycling question

[machineherald]

Hello everyone! I'm in the process of cycling my first reef tank. I'm coming over from nearly a decade of freshwater experience, including caridinas, but this is my first dip into saltwater. I mainly want some confirmation that my cycle is where I think it is, that is, ready for a pair of clownfish.

The tank is a 40 gallon breeder that was DIY'd into an AIO. I set the tank up 7/21 using live sand, 35 lbs of dry rock, and Fritz Turbostart 900. I dosed with ACE hardware ammonia until the tank was at 2.0 PPM.

Today my parameters are:
ammonia: 0 PPM
nitrite: 1.0 PPM
nirate: 40.0 PPM
PH: 8.2
KH: 8
SG: 1.026

from my research the nitrite shouldn't be a problem in a saltwater system, right? I came into this expecting at least a month between setup and livestock, so I was really surprised to find out that bottled bacteria speeds up the cycle so much. I want to get designer clowns and I would really like not to kill them...is my best bet to wait until the system is more mature or am I ready to start stocking? If I am ready--should I do a water change before I get them to drop the nitrate?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I would change the water to get nitrate below 20 at least then I would get a fish.

 

[Fish Fan]

I think you're cycled and ready for your fish

Good luck!

 

[machineherald]

thank you both for the reassurance! went to the LFS on Saturday and picked up a gorgeous pair of clowns and a zoa, which is already popping out new heads! I'm so beyond happy, having a reef tank has been a dream of mine for nearly a decade now and (so far!) no hiccups.