Hey James,

No one can tell you exactly when your rocks will be done curing or exactly
how high ammonia and the nitrites/ates will get. That said, maybe it's not
quite a good idea yet to add anything. There are a lot of people that put
damsels in the tank at your stage because they're hardy... Let me just
throw something out there to you that I've learned through friends, reading
and a few pet stores: try to resist damsels unless you are REALLY sure you
like a particular species, you want to keep it, and you know they will be ok
with future fish in your plans. Why? Because those fish turn out to be
quite the mean *******s when they get a little older. haha. On another
quick note too, along with stressing your fish, it's a real pain to set and
rearrange rock with creatures in the way And if you already have sand, in a
minute you won't be able to see in the water too well (or at all) so you
can't avoid your animals.

On the damsel thing, I just helped a friend out with getting damsels from
his tank he didn't want. Unfortunately he didn't even know what kind of
fish he had. So I made the mistake of taking them in BEFORE I did some
research (including asking people on this newsgroup.) I regret it. Even
though they were added AFTER my fish, they were territorial and mean. The
local pet store let me take these fish to him for some store credit and he
was so used to the damsel story he laughed. Just like I've read before,
people get these hardy fish to cure their tanks and then don't like them.
Many damsels lose their colors and good manners as the grow.

I was where you were not long ago. What did I do to suffice this? Hermit
crabs. Sounds silly but to satisfy my needs to want to see if my water was
working, my set up was worthy, heck to see if my money and readings are
going toward something that WORKS. It was neat for maybe a few weeks to
watch them move around..... but alas just hermit crabs will get dull too...
it's not a permanent fix.

Good luck to you,
B
www.geocities.com/bryg30


"James" wrote in message
m...
So i have my water and my salt. I start adding but the little needle
doesnt move. Add some more still nothing. Whole lot more nada. Guy at
the Aquarium Center told me he would look at it the meter tomorrow.

Thank goodness there is nothing alive in the tank. Any other newb
mistakes I can avoid??

I did get a maxi-Jet 1200 which is running quite nicely. I have added my
"Dead" sand and some rocks though not any live ones yet. Once I get the
water worked out I will add the rock.

Any think I am rushing? I would love to put some fish in by
friday.........