12 gallon 2 days old

As I stated before and bmshehan, no lights.
I wouldnt turn on the lights just yet(imo). The only thing that your going to gain by that is an early algae bloom, which is sometimes hard to get ride of. Dont add any additives, no lights, dont do any water changes, just sit back and watch and wait. You can add a damsel after the 4th week or so, but thats it.

 

i am going to get my own testing kit so the store doesnt tell me to buy more additives

 

Best thing to do is to just forget you even own a fish tank for a month or so. As a beginner, I can attest to the horrors of immediately buying unneeded livestock. I had to just get into something else for a while to save my new 12g nano from myself.

P.S.
LFS guys RARELY know what they're talking about, I always come to 3reef for advice, you will learn rapidly here. Just keep perusing the forums!

 

i started my tank 17 days ago i have not used any additives after i was told not to

so should i add anything or get any tests?

 

You should be aquiring the tests kits now and begin the process of testing
( even learning to test the water with the kits will have learning curve if you havint done alot in the past )


I my self use a "master test kit" made by "HAGEN" >
heres a link or they can be bought seprately and then i use
"SALIFERT" Strontium / Magnesium test kits

and they make some really nice digital test meters if your pocket book allows
but they have to stay calibrated.

Aquarium Test Kits

 

im going to get a test kit tuesday at the aquarium store

 

Good idea to test yourself. For now I would not add anything. I would just test for nitrite and ph. Nitrite should be .0 ph should be 7.9 - 8.2 if memory serves me correct. And always monitor salinity and temp. Keep them stable, so that they do not fluctuate a lot.

 

thanks for the help i gave everyone that helped me karma

 

PH: 8.0
Ammonia: 0

should i test for nitrite NO2 or NO3?

 

If your Nh3/4 is 0, I would test for No2 and No3.