just wondering what to do?

OK, this may be just my luck, but my crappy API test kit always tells me I have More nitrates than I actually do. It took me a while to understand that, but if you want, take some water to your LFS, and if you shop there frequently like I do mine, they might just be nice enough to test your water for free. If not, it may cost you ten or fifteen dollars to get a full spectrum test done, but trust me, it's worth it.

(In my opinion, it sounds like you are on a great track)

Now, like Cheryl said, do a water change and get yourself a small CUC. Ten hermits should do since most stores sell them @ 10 for $6.oo. (or so) but once again, you're ready. You're not going to kill everything so don't worry. (especially a few hermits, they thrive in crud and crap, so some 'dirty' water aint gonna hurt those guys) I'd wait on the shrimp, since they tend to die early in a young tank. And like said earlier, snails need algae to eat, so wait on those until you see some growing.

I have a question though, I can see your tank pic and it looks nice, but what sort of filtration do you have that we cant see....The amount of fish you can have in your tank will very depending on what sort of filtering have.....

 

on API test kits the test tubes are labeled wrong.. (not a true 5ml) i use a medicine dropper to get the true 5ml of water to test... i have no filters that you cant see.... i only have the skilter 400 on the back of the tank... i do not use the protein skimmer part because its junk... i will soon have a sump fuge setup... just planned on adding a clown fish & hermits for the clean up...

 

I bought it @ petsmart..LFS in Anderson Indiana

 

Both the CUC and Nemo should be fine with 10-15 ppm of nitrates. Having said that, 4 weeks is a little early to add a fish, imo.

 

so i decided to add my CUC.. 6 blue leg hermits,6 red leg hermits, & 12 tiger snails... plus picked up 9 lbs of LR.. ALL COATED WITH BACTERIA!!! plus i can imagine the hitchhikers!!

 

Nice. Keep us updated.