More test questions

[ess17]

Ok, more questions.
I tested my water again last weekend and nothing seemed to read different than my first tests, which were:
Ammonia: 0-.25
Nitrite: .1
Nitrate: 2.5
PH: 8.0
Alk: High

I went up to the LFS to have them read it and he said that I was basically at 0s on ammonia and nitrite. He said the small traces that were showing up on the test were essentially negligible. (sp.?). So, we added a partial clean up crew. 5 snails and 5 crabs. I went home to add them and realized my tank was cracking so had to buy another and transfer everything. LFS said it was safe to add the crabs/snails after I changed everything because my parameters shouldn't change since I was just moving everything I already had to a new tank. Sooo, here we are almost a week later and everything seems to look great in the tank. I did tests again last night and my everything reads exactly the same as it did a week ago. It is troubling me that I can't get an exact 0 on ammonia and nitrite and that my tests haven't really changed at all in the last 5 or so tests. Do you think I am doing something wrong? Is the LFS correct in saying that almost 0 is basically 0 and it is safe to add things? He is holding a pair of clowns for me but I don't want to add them this weekend if it is a bad idea.

Would a water change help at all?
Sorry for the long post...



Edit: I have a 29 GAL with 25 lbs of live rock running for 3 weeks tomorrow by the way...

 

[chkltcow]

Very quick question.... what kind of tests are you using? If you're using strip tests, toss them in the trash.... that's where they belong. They always seem to cross contaminate each other and that's part of the reason you'll never see 0.

And when you said you had the LFS read them, do you mean you took a sample of water to them to have them test it?

 

[ess17]

I am using a Red Sea test that has drops you put in your water.
Yes, I took a sample of my water to the LFS and they tested it (although he did this with strip tests?)

Thanks!