Is my PetCo telling me lies?????

Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, hydrometer for starters. You're going to want much more than that in the long run...

 

Ohh Ok, sorry about the question. I did not mean to sound rude or anything!

 

You want to get at least tests for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. These are what a cycle is measured off of.

 

No worries. Just thought it was funny you asked.

 

You will need ammonia, nitrate and nitrite for a fish only setup. A phosphate kit wouldn't hurt. Buy a hydrometer or better yet a refractometer if you intend to have corals.

 

Just a couple punds of sand. What is the rock for? I see them and they dont look that good, but do i need them?

 

I need some laughter after the day I had..

 

You defiantly need a hydrometer, you need to know what the salinity is.(that should be your first priority.)

ohh sorry about your bad experience and welcome to 3reef.

 

Ok, where would I get them?

Thank you everybody for the info, I can not wait to get this tank in better shape.

 

One to two pounds of live rock for every gallon of water is common for a reef tank. Check out the "show off your fish tanks" forum on this website for a bunch of examples of well made saltwater tanks. That should give you an idea of what is needed.