15gal Tall set up need advice

[79fever]

Ok I'm going to be laid up in bed for a few weeks so, I set up a 15gal tall next to my bed to keep me there.
Here's what in it now

25lbs live sand = about 3 to 4" DSB
10lb LR...3 hitchhiker hermits/ some polyps( brown noby things?)
Live rock 6lbs one LFS 4lbs from another LFS went in tank with in hour after purchase
15lb Home made cured LR
heater/ temp at 77
1200 maxi jet ph
little whisper filter/ nothing in it just to move water
250wt light/15 wt night light
SG 1.0225
added 1oz of TLC for sawlter Aquariums/ Live bact. culture stuff
some clean empty sea shells
12 gal instant ocean mixed water give or take a couple oz.s

Tested water at LFS PH 8.7
no other readings
LFS guy said I may be able to add a fish in a couple days.
Can I add live shrimp or anything else to tank?
watched hermit switch shells very cool!

I have three days before stuck in bed so I just wanted to see if I can add anything else before confinment starts.

 

[OrionGirl]

You'll need to get an ammonia test. If the live rock was cured, you shouldn't have an ammonia spike,meaning you will be able to add a fish. If there's ammonia, you'll need to let the tank cycle and establish a robust bacteria bed before adding critters.

JMO, but I would encourage you to run the tank without fish or additional inverts for 2-3 months minimum. This gives you time to figure out the maintenance schedule and FW topoff needed to keep the tabk stable.

 

[79fever]

Thanks for the reply. I placed an ammonia alert in tank. It's saying safe.
It's so tempting to put something in. I'm thinking maybe some more liverock.
Hitchhikers are always interesting. I'm going to transfer all this to my 70gal tank once I get everything I need for it. I'm swaying between getting it drilled or getting an overbox. any opinions. We are hoping to place sump in basement. water will have to travel 12ft down than back up.

 

[OrionGirl]

I much prefer drilled tanks--more reliable, less to go wrong. But--before you drill the tank, shop around for pumps. You're going to be spending some serious dough to get a pump that will maintain good flow with 12 foot of head.