just got done testing, here's the levels the best I can tell them. I need a better testing kit I think.
pH - 8.3
ammonia 0.25-0.50 ppm
nitrites effectively 0
nitrates 10-20 ppm
temp is 84F
I work at a pet store that sells primarily dogs, but we've got 9 salt tanks and two show-tanks for salt. I set up my little 10 gallon on Sunday and on monday I sweet-talked the owner's wife into letting me buy 8 pounds of very very well cured live rock from the showtanks. I put them in on monday night, along with a few capfuls of the "Cycle" stuff they sell, and by tuesday afternoon the ammonia level had dropped down to less than .25 and the nitrates had risen just a bit.
I know you're supposed to wait to add stuff, but I went to the LFS to get an idea of stuff to add to the tank. While I was there, I asked if there were any creatures that wouldn't interfere with the cycle, you know, not fish, but something to at least look at instead of a dull empty tank. Of course, they sold me something. I guess it's my fault too for trusting them.
So right now I've got a ten gallon with 8 pounds of LR, 20lbs aragonite, an Emporer Mini-Biowheel filter, one dose of cycle, with a brittle star and green bubble-tip anemone.
My guess is things aren't looking good for our hero...