Cycling a new tank

[jrlg]

So I have a 200G that is starting up, will be using only dry live rock. For the cycle I will have the sump with protein skimmer installed and 2 of the four powerheads, (buying 2 mp60s so I need some time) I was planning on running the refugium with chaeto with a Kessil H380 as the only light source while cycling, and no sand.

My two questions are,
how soon to run the chaeto into the cycle,

I was planning on running a carbon GFO dual reactor with the system, I was reading a post that carbon helps with cycles, so would that be something I should start up with the cycle or wait until there is live stock

 

[P-Dub]

So I have a 200G that is starting up, will be using only dry live rock. For the cycle I will have the sump with protein skimmer installed and 2 of the four powerheads, (buying 2 mp60s so I need some time) I was planning on running the refugium with chaeto with a Kessil H380 as the only light source while cycling, and no sand.

My two questions are,
how soon to run the chaeto into the cycle,

I was planning on running a carbon GFO dual reactor with the system, I was reading a post that carbon helps with cycles, so would that be something I should start up with the cycle or wait until there is live stock

Gosh, there are so many ways to skin this cat. I think the short answer is you could run the cheato any time. I can't speak to running any carbon though. I cycled my rock for three months outside in two rubber-maid type bins. I seeded the rocks with a cured live rock in each bin. Had a powerhead in each as well. Didn't bother with a heater as I live in the tropics. Placed some chaeto in one bin after 1 month. I did a total of two 100% water changes during that time. I have not had a single cyano, GHA, diatom, or other issues since setting up my DT. Been going strong for four months now. Patience, I believe, is the #1 key in the cycling process. If you have the opportunity to cycle in a separate bin and complete the whole cycling process well before you place your rock in your DT I would go that route. IMHO.

 

[jrlg]

thanks for the input, I guess the reason I'm thinking of doing the curing in the DT is the fact I want to scape the live rock and glue/rod together dry so I when I'm done with this I don't know if they will fit into the buckets, also I would think the protein skimmer would help capturing some of the stuff coming off the rock, and I will not have lights on for the DT at all, side note I will have the tank heated, as I have the heaters too. that being said I don't want to have to deal with algae in the DT because of this process. So if cycling in the DT will cause any algae grief out of the norm I will rethink my plan.

 

[P-Dub]

thanks for the input, I guess the reason I'm thinking of doing the curing in the DT is the fact I want to scape the live rock and glue/rod together dry so I when I'm done with this I don't know if they will fit into the buckets, also I would think the protein skimmer would help capturing some of the stuff coming off the rock, and I will not have lights on for the DT at all, side note I will have the tank heated, as I have the heaters too. that being said I don't want to have to deal with algae in the DT because of this process. So if cycling in the DT will cause any algae grief out of the norm I will rethink my plan.

You will have blooms and outbreaks during the cycling process. It is unavoidable and part of the process. This was my reasoning for the in-tote cycling. As an option, you can arrange the aquascape dry on a stenciled base representing your tank dimensions, predrill the holes for rods and take a picture of it, let it cure in the totes or a trash can and then reassemble in the DT once the cycling is complete. This is how I did it. The pictures, lots of them, are very important to reassemble as it was dry. I didn't take enough pictures but still got close to the original design. I ended up re-scaping slightly anyways. However way you choose to cycle, patience and then more patience is the key to success.

Initial rock work...

Final scape...

 

[jrlg]

Thanks P-Dub, that sounds like the plan now, I really appreciate the fact we get good advice from fellow reefers on this site. Its made this build easier than I thought with most of my plans

 

[P-Dub]

Thanks P-Dub, that sounds like the plan now, I really appreciate the fact we get good advice from fellow reefers on this site. Its made this build easier than I thought with most of my plans

Happy to be of assistance. It worked out well for me and I hope it does the same for you.