Adding life to a reef

[Sticker shock]

Hi All,

I've just recently started my new venture into reefing. Hours and hours of research has been completed and still so many questions. This forum has been a huge help to getting me to this point (as early as it may be). I was hoping some of you have some input on this one for me...

My tank was started with dry rock and dry sand (as of now the tank is completely devoid of any life or color). Any corals that I plan to add will be dipped prior to entering the display. I'm thinking that I should probably introduce pods manually just to get some life going. But at what point should I do that? I'm still very early in the cycle and would gather that even pods would not do great in these conditions. So should I wait until my cycle can process 2ppm of ammonia in a day? I'm guessing that would be the right time...but should I add them at the same time as a small clean up crew? I haven't been running my lights yet, so there is no algae showing on the rock or sand, and I don't plan on adding clean up crew until there is a need for them. Also, if I do add the pods prior to seeing any type of algae, would I need to provide a food source?

My current readings are:
Ammonia: 1ppm
Nitrite: .25 ppm
Nitrate: between 0 and 5 ppm
Ph: 8.0
Temp: 78 F

 

[MERKEY]

I would suggest following the 24hr ammonia rule of thumb before adding.... but I am no expert

They do need something to munch on....but when to add them is something I waited to do until tank was fully cycled.

 

[BeejReef]

I like the way you're thinking about building an ecosystem.

Most types of pods seem to do better with occasional doses of phyto.
Are you planning on running a refugium?
That might be a logical milestone. Once cycle is done and tank is growing your preferred macro-algae.
They may take root earlier than that, but they're pretty pricey. I don't think they're gonna make any real difference for you getting them in a week or two earlier.

 

[Sticker shock]

I do want to run a refugium, but it would have to be a HOB making it fairly smallish . I'm trying to keep as little equipment as possible since I don't have a sump. We shall see how things evolve though.

 

[MERKEY]

Some questions to help us know your tank a bit better and help you more.
What size is your tank?
What canister filter are you running if you dont run sump?
What are you running in the canister filter?
What lights do you run?

 

[MERKEY]

I would start your HOB refug now and let it get in on the last part of your cycle. You could throw some cheto in it now I would think. However more should weigh in on this. Lol
Of course tank size will determine what size of HOB would suit best.

 

[BeejReef]

We're all new peeps so far in this thread.. lol. I started my fuge as soon as I could bc, oddly, that's what really excited me about the hobby, so I'm with MERKEY about getting it going sooner than later. I'd still wait a bit longer though. Macro-algae and micro algae both consume ammonia for food. At this early stage, you want to make sure your bacteria are growing well and that they're ones chewing through the ammonia.

 

[Waterislife]

A copepod is an invert inverts do not do well in new aquariums you need to establish your agae bed in your sand bed an order support invert life go ahead and add them but they're just going to die there's no food source for them if you manually add the food source your system will not be able to handle the extra food you're adding to keep copepods alive go get yourself a damselfish or a clownfish

 

[Rubblereefer]

Be patient. Wait till your cycle is done, then wait another week for good measure. Then add the HOB fuge. Then add a fish or 2, THEN add the pods.

 

[BayouReefer]

Welcome to the R2R Family! You will find lots of great advice. Enjoy your new tank