I think it's ready. Before I get the wife's hopes up, what do you guys think?
If it is ready, what do I start with? Fish, coral, or a cleanup crew?
Thanks!!!
Hello again, newer R2R member!
As my friends above have already mentioned, these test strips are unreliable at best for maintaining a reef aquarium, in my experience
They are largely rebranded swimming pool test strips, and as someone who owns a very modest above ground pool, they are not well liked even among pool owners
We would also need A LOT more information to answer the question - "Is my tank ready" for livestock.
Could you please describe how you've set this tank up, and what you've done so far to cycle it? For example, (and assuming you started with dry rock and sand), did you add anything to raise the ammonia? Typically, it's suggested to bring the ammonia concentration to about 2.0 ppm on a reliable test kit, to get the cycle started.
I would also suggest ordering some Salifert brand test kits. They are inexpensive, and regarded as reliable. I would suggest ordering test kits for ammonia and nitrate at this stage, phosphate will be needed soon after. You can safely ignore nitrite as it's non-toxic in saltwater, and you can safely ignore almost all others reported on your test strips both now, and going forward; they're not applicable for keeping a typical reef tank
Please let us know some more details of your setup and cycle methodology, and I'm sure that we can help you get your tank going
Best of luck!
