you really really really dont want damsels unless they are the green reef cromis damsels. all other damsels are truely devils. With 3 fish you are already reaching your bio limit for that size tank. I have a 2 year old 24g nano and 4 fish but they were added slowly and I would not consider adding anything more. I also have 40lbs
LR and a 3in sand bed. A protein
skimmer (a real one, not a surface
skimmer) will make life for the tank creatures better but it is not necessary. I dont use one. Whenever I dont have the surface
skimmer on I get nasty stuff ontop of the water, it is normal. If i were you I would seriously consider building a tube
fuge. Check TR episode 88, it is a great video. They work well, you may as well start one now,
nitrates will always be a problem in a nano tank and this will help.
Take your damsels back, get your $15 back you paid for them, and buy some uncooked table shrimp from your grocery store. Put a peice of shrimp in the tank for a few days, that will cycle your system and it is a cheaper nicer way to cycle it.
