why test in an empty tank, reef way more expensive?

[pakman]

For a new tank that is empty or only has live rock in it what is the pointof testing the water. iunderstand that it is necesary to test water to see an amonia spike and to figure out when the cycle is over but why now? Also, are corals harder to keep alive than fish, and if i start to buy coral am i gonna have a hard time stopping and end up with an empty wallet.

 

[sistrmary]

Well, you test the water to ensure that you can add fish/inverts soon
Corals aren't hard exactly, expensive, yes because lighting costs out the yang...but once you have proper lighting and established water, most are relatively easy to keep. With some exceptions such as carnation corals I have a tiny one, and it's still responsive, but never fully opens up...it's been in there for at least months. (I'm horrible with timelines, so I've stopped trying to remebmer when I added it.)
Anyways, yes they get addictive You start off with one silly little colt coral and a couple of cheap mushroom rocks, trying to add some color to your fishtank...and end up at least hundreds into it.
It's all about patience and reading/asking questions.

 

[pakman]

are their very many corals that require small amounts of light?