Water testing questions/concerns

[kevNnic]

So we have begun our cycle on our tank, 30lbs dry rock, 10lbs cured live rock and 60lbs live sand.

Just a couple concerns with our test kit were using.



I have been testing the ph and am not sure about our reading as the color doesn't really match anything on the test strip.

Wondering what the best ways to go about testing the water are.

Also what kind of additives i should be using. Will i require more test kits as well? i have a refractometer and it seems our specific gravity keeps creeping alittle higher on a daily basis so i keep adding fresh water. right now i have been aiming to keep it around 1.025 but everytime i measure before i fix it within a day or two its back upwards of 1.027.

Any tips and guideance is really appreciated. I do not plan on adding any fish until im 100% sure my tank is mature and ready.

The dry rock is becoming a little darker after 8 days of the cycle but no significant changes. Finally noticed that or ammonia is about .1ppm for the first time. Does that mean the tank is finally started to develop? nitrate and nitrite levels have been 0ppm.

thanks alot for the help and sorry for all the newb questions. I like to learn as much as possible so hopefully someone i can help someone in my shoes.

Kevin