Cycling advice? Critique my plan

[dan0788]

Im in the process of setting up my first sw tank. Im coming from freshwater that ended abruptly due to mechanical error so I'd like to take every precaution necessary by following a strict QT process for everything that goes into this tank. With that being said, once the tank cycles, can it serve as a QT for the CUC as long as I keep it fishless for 76 days? It would just be live rock and sand.

Is there any drawback to this that would allow something to be introduced to the DT tank that can live past 76 days?

My rough plan:
Cycle DT tank and include extra piece of sponge media
Set up QT tank for clown pair using cycled media
Add CUC to DT, fishless for 76 days. Feed CUC as needed
Add clowns to QT tank for 76 days
Both tanks are fully QT'ed after 76 days and fish can be moved to DT
QT tank turns into frag QT tank

 

[brandon429]

Stock the tank with corals and cuc and all things non fish

Then wait for the 76 days, add fish. This way is nice bc you can enjoy the tank for the fallow period. Fish go in last, and this helps a new tank battle/handle/prevent early algae issues anyway. the prior advice in the hobby about fish going in before corals is part of the reason we lose ten thousand reef tanks to invasions annually vs saving them by using methods that do not promote total tank takeover (not counting fish wipeouts from disease issues). Early fish use is nitrogen blast / algae feed right up front, before the invasion tendencies are known for the rocks chosen etc

Fish in last is ideal for all reef tanks unless someone is just relocating an existing setup. Corals and inverts are easily fed, won't miss the fish for the initial start.

You can always pass every item added through 76~ day fallow in the qt but the opposite sounds nicer, mostly stock the tank so it's enjoyable, then fallow it out

 

[dan0788]

Hey thanks for the response. I was planning on staying fowlr for the first few months while I get accustomed to saltwater and caring for everything. From the sounds of it I should have no problem adding the CUC and keeping it fishless for the 72-76 days.

 

[brandon429]

Yep the corals can wait too if they fit in better later, then pass through fallow in lots on way to tank, easily spot fed lightly during qt.

I saw a friend do this live time and he avoided all fish disease issues.