adding fish to my first saltwater tank

[cj7eagle]

I have a 29 gallon tank with a skilter 250 with the skimmer mod done to it. I have a penguin 100 bio wheel that a friend told me to get, then he would bring over some bio-stars to help my tank get started. He hasnt brought them over yet so i am just running the filter with the cartridge it came with. I have a power head 660 mounted at the bottom to help with water flow. I have about 2" of crushed coral on the bottom. Also have a few "fish tank rocks" that i plan on replacing with live rock in the near future. I also have 2 small damsels i got to help cycle my tank. (i was told this was the way to go, before i found this site)
1. How much live rock is a good idea for my tank?
2. I want to add 2 clowns, and a lawnmower blenny. are there any problems with that? should i get them in any particular order? should i wait for algae growth before adding a blenny?
3. are there any other clean up crew necessitys?
my readings as of tonight...
ph 8.0
ammonia 0 ppm
nitrites 0 ppm
nitrates 20 ppm
specific gravity 1.020 (my friend who has been helping me, and has been doing this for 30 years says he keeps his around 1.018-1.019)
temp - 78-80
any thoughts, ideas, questions on my setup are more than welcome. thanks!

 

[scsinet]

Damsels will cycle a tank just fine, it's just not particularly "nice" to the fish to do so.
With your setup, I'd plan for 20lbs of live rock. You have supplemental bio filtration, so you shouldn't need to go more than that. I encourage you to buy your live rock now, before you add fish. Live rock will inevitably suffer some die off which will make your ammonia spike some. Don't ever believe claims of "cured live rock." If you need to wait, add a few lbs at a time.
Your fish list is okay stocking level wise, but the clowns may grow too big depending on the species, but that takes a long time. Blennies require significant algae growth, I'd recommend goby instead. It'll be far easier for you to keep.
Your levels seem fine, but I must disagree with your friend, your SG is a bit low. If all you have are the fish, I'd run 1.020 at the least. Long term exposure to SG below 1.020 can cause health problems in the fish. If you want to keep hermit crabs, snails, urchins, etc (hermits and snails are highly recommended), you need 1.024 minimum or they WILL die in pretty short order.

 

[rbrockm1]

if you do get 2 clowns get them together and same breed

 

[triga22]

Yes. I would go with a goby too. My 29 stocklist is 2 percula clowns, yellow watchman goby, and a sixline wrasee. I kinda wanna take the wrase out and add something else but no one will tell me. So your stockin is good. I keep my sg round 1.025. Lr id get 20-25 lbs. And looks like your off to a great start. Remember to be patient in this hobby. Good luck and have a great day.

 

[cymbal67]

the damsels will be hard to get out later, be sure if you cycle with those ...you are willing to keep them in there afterwards (it can be tough getting them out especially if you are putting live rock in there)...you might be utilizing those "fish slots" that can be used by cooler fish.

 

[cj7eagle]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
If you want to keep hermit crabs, snails, urchins, etc (hermits and snails are highly recommended), you need 1.024 minimum or they WILL die in pretty short order.

What sort of hermit crabs and snails would be a good idea? is it basicly a matter of taste, or would some work better than others for me. How many of each? I am going to the store for *Link Removed* this weekend to pick up some live rock, and perhaps crabs and snails. Do the survive on just aglae growth, or is there other food i should give them?
Thanks every for your responses.

 

[scsinet]

Hermits are scavengers... they will eat bits of uneaten food in the bottom and pick through the sandbed for bits of algae, etc.
Blueleg and Scarlet hermits are most common, but there are a billion different types. Anything the LFS describes as "reef safe" will work for you.
Smaller is better than larger hermits. Larget hermits will attack snails for their shells.