rickster, don't feel too badly...I am in the same situation as you are. I am a newbie, did lots of reading, but so much of the information was vague. I went to the only aquatic store within 50 miles, other than Petco and followed their advice. I started cycling my tank the last week of January with live rock and live sand. I brought in a water sample a week later and they told me that was the time to add the Damsels. I did not know what they were going to be put through and thought they were just the first members in the tank. Sadly, I did not find this site until 3 weeks in. The tank has been cycling for 6-7 weeks. No ammonia at all...My plan now is to briefly remove the live rock, catch the damsels and return them to the store. Then I'll add more live rock and do the fishless cycle. I truly wish I had found this site sooner, but it will all work out for both of us. Look into lots of different areas of this forum, there are sooo many smart people here!