Whats my next step?

[barkingoyster]

Just started setting up my first Nano-reef, well my first s/w tank actually, and wanted some feedback.

 

10 g AGA

80 watt CSL moonlight

5lbs. LR(soon to be 15lbs. come payday)

20 lbs Agra-alive substrate

Whisper 1 HOB

Jalli 50watt heater

 

2 Damsels

Some small shrooms and dusters on the rock

 

Started Cycling 10 days ago, with the HOB filled with media and 10 or so mini bio-balls(also have the heater in the filter). I read .25 ammonia and no nitrites as of yet.

 

What is my next step? After the additional LR

I was thinking of the AC 300 refugium scenario. Do I need a skimmer? And when/what types of corals and inverts do I introduce(crabs,shrimp).

Any advice would be apreciated. Thank you in advance.

[jasontatro]

Start by losing the media and bioballs in your HOB.

 

It's been 10 days.... give it another 50 and then start adding some livestock.

 

Just my $.02

[palaegic]

honestly oyster, whats next is just waiting. If you are still measuring ammonia, your cycle is just starting. As jason points out, the bio-balls are counterproductive if you intend to eventually keep corals. Prior to adding the additional liverock, I strongly recommend pulling the bio-balls out. Your liverock fills the function of the bio-balls. After adding the additional rock, don't add any other organisms for at least 3 weeks. If you don't have nitrate, phosphate, and calcium test kits, start saving for those. Feed the fish you currently have as little as possible - otherwise you are simply adding to the ammonia engine, until your bio-filter establishes.

 

Best of luck - be patient

[JohnnyMTB]

One thing you do need to ask yourself- are damsels the fish you plan on keeping for a long time. A lot of people get talked into cycling a tank with them. If you plan on taking those out later to add a clown or something else you'll have an incredibly hard time of doing it with a lot of rock in the tank. I would pull those out now when it's easier, a fishless cycle works just fine. If you plan on only keeping damsels, ignore all of this.

[barkingoyster]

Thank you for all of the input. Bio media is now gone and I have added more live rock. As far as the Damsels, I was very pleased to find out that the fish I wanted were the fish I needed. So, now all I do is wait. Any suggestions on coral types to start with when the cycle is done? And should I opt for a skimmer?