More confused than ever now

[plumber]

Hi , Just starting my new 90 gal. thought I would check my existig tank water against my sons tank all readings were the same. His tank is doing wonderful so whats the deal with all this testing ? His nitrates were the only that tested high he has no protien skimmer or uv . I have all this stuff for ?

 

[weaponusmc]

When you just start a tank, it is good to test your water after the fist week to see when your cycle has started, then to keep testing it to see when your cycle has ended. After it ends then you can put your livestock in. Your water perimiters will always be dead on when you start your tank.

 

[sickboy]

And once you start adding livestock you still need to check your water to see if your biological filter (the bacteria) is working correctly