Just got back from the LFS, had them double check my readings:
pH both said about 8.4-8.5
Alk still around 2.00 milli equiv per liter, LFS couldn't test as theirs had expired since it's not a normal test they run.
Ammonia - both tests said less than 0.25, closer to the zero color than to the 0.25 but we decided to err on the side of caution.
Nitrite mine said it was about 0.05, theirs said 0
Nitrate their kit said 0, I still haven't tested for this because I was lazy and didn't wanna clean the test tubes twice. Figure my cheato
and the other algae might be chewing it up as fast as it's made though.
Salinity my refractometer said 1.024, theirs said 1.025... but i just added top off water so i should probably go check that again in a bit...
Funny part is now the main saltwater guy and the owner are almost as excited as I am cause we can finally start ordering fish for me. Keep in mind, I live in Alaska so their current stock is pretty limited (oddly it tends to be flashy questionably-hardy fish like moorish idols and such) and they only do orders every two to four weeks. So it will probably be another month or so before i get my first fish... and even then, i plan to QT it for a month.
Also went by the hardware store.
Got some pieces i needed for the fuge I'm making. I hope it works, i'm making it out of one of thouse old cheapo plastic 5gal desktop tanks you find for sale at like walmart. I plan to drill the back and instal a pair of 3/4ths inch bulkheads for the input and output. It will be fed from the main display by a minijet 606 and then gravity feed back into the display since I just happen to have a really nice cabinet next to my aquarium thats about 6 inchs or so taller than my tank and it should hold the weight of a little fiver easy. To light it, I got a
Model: 1147TR - Sun Light Desk Lamp. I also picked up some 20gal brute trash cans and their coasters for use in mixing extra saltwater.