new setup

[Russell]

18 gal
cascade 200 power filter
coral life 20in 28 watt 50/50
old 200 watt heater
tetratec ap200 air pump w/ air stone
5 lbs live rock
20lbs African cichlid sand

1 Blue Damsel

Upgraded tank from freshwater last week and seems to be doing fine. Doing weekly 25% water changes using Instant ocean. Nitrites are high but keeping down with water changes. When cycle completes I hope to add a couple new fish, another 10 - 15 lbs life rock and maybe some soft corals. Also will get protein skimmer but unsure which one to get. I have vary little room and was hoping to get a hang on or something as small as 9in that will sit under the tank.

Any suggestion?

[jman785]

Be sure to not add too much liverock, to where once the cycle is finished you can't catch that pesky damsel. I use a 'fishless cycle' meaning no fish, because I find it harsh on them, even though Damsels can take a beating. Plus I hate damsels, as they are territorial and cause havoc in a reef tank, thus the need to remove them once cycling, unless you really want the bugger chasing the other glory fish around the tank like wimps heh.

[icereefer]

I hear you on those Damsels, Nasty little Devils.
and on your protein skimmer, it might be a little over kill for your 18 gal but I like using CPR Bak Paks on smaller tanks, for one I can put my heater in there, and you won't need that air stone then.
maybe get yourself a mini maxi-jet to for water circulation.

[miztahphong2]

damsels are an ass to take out of a tank. i had a nano with a damsel in there. i tried getting him out with a net and after that i knocked so much stuff over that it look like something off of pearl harbor. everything in smokes and knocked over. lol.