movadoman21,
much like you, i dove right into the saltwater tank with my head so far up my ass, the cashier at the local fish store (LFS) didnt have to try to take all my money.
Once i found this website, the people here really gave me some good CURRENT advice. After getting Robert Fenner's "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" i realized that many of the people out there that either dont have a saltwater tank today, or had one years ago are telling you the truth, but their truth is outdated and costly in time.
over the last few years, a change/trend has occurred giving rise to biofiltration with minimized mechanical filtration (there are a few good ones still in use such as the skimmer). some of the people you may have asked gave you valid advice such as getting fish in the tank to cycle, (although the heartier damsels are normally used with a 50% survival rate) but people now know today that you dont need fish to cycle the tank. The purpose of the fish is to get ammonia in the tank to kick off the cycle. but as the ammonia rises, and nitrite and nitrate rise, the fish will perish. using a dead grocery store shrimp instead will still put the necessary ammonia into the tank kicking off the cycle without need to waste a living fish and your $20 bucks.
If you do your homework right, and have the patience , you can actually create a rather low maintience beautiful system with very high survival rates.
Oh, by the way, the trend is away from mechanical systems in favor of biofiltration systems which is mother natures way of taking care of itself. Read up on a Deep Sand Bed (DSB) and live rock (which by itself can cycle the tank). I really wish i did because i started with crushed coral (which is now replaced with a DSB) and a wet/dry filter which i am now looking to replace with a skimmer. and with your skimmer, you should turn that on once your tank is done with its cycle.
Cycling is basically establishing the biofiltration system. First, your fish and other living things you put in the tank consume food (protein mostly and alot of other things) and its waste is ammonia. Bacteria will establish in your system (in a wet/dry, or live rock) that will consume ammonia and waste nitrite. Then other bacteria will consume nitrite and waste nitrate. high levels of ammonia and nitrite will kill all your fish. (yours are still alive because they havent created a high enough toxic level of ammonia, which turns to nitrite (but be assured, once your level rise, your clowns will die) for the nitrate, detectible levels arnt an immediate threat, but as it rises, it will also be toxic. water changes at that point will keep it diluted but you can also get other filter systems such as a DSB or a refugium which will consume the nitrate and waste nitrogen which will just bubble up to the surface of the water and keep your nitrate levels from reaching high levels as quick. (i have even heard people say that their DSB is working so well, they barely have to do water changes)
The thing for you to do now is create a game plan. I really do suggest the book above since its pretty recent and gives you a good picture of all that is out there, what to stay away from, and help you create the perfect game plan for you.
Also, i find the people on this site are extremely helpful and willing to take their time to help you create the best system for the lowest cost. They give impartial advice with no profit motive whatsoever. Many share how they have created their systems and there are many do it yourself (DIY) plans out there that will keep your costs very low when wanting to create systems such as a refugium (with a Rubbermaid) that will cost a fraction of the systems the LFS will sell you and work much much better.
Well, i am off, i hope this helped, and by the way, all this and much much more was learned from that book and the people on this site.
