New to the hobby

[South Carolina reef]

I just got my 65 gallon tank up and running. I purchased my water pre-made from my local aquarium shop. Got the temp set at 77 acquascape is all set and sand placed. I added 2 small clown fish and a bottle of Dr.Tims live bacteria. I've heard no lighting for at least 4 months to help stave off the ugly period. I'm wondering if this is true or regardless of when the lighting is turned on this phase will happen anyway? I do plan on adding microbacter clean in about 3 weeks once no ammonia and a yellow tang. Thoughts on the lighting timing please

 

[Fish Think Pink]

I just got my 65 gallon tank up and running. I purchased my water pre-made from my local aquarium shop. Got the temp set at 77 acquascape is all set and sand placed. I added 2 small clown fish and a bottle of Dr.Tims live bacteria. I've heard no lighting for at least 4 months to help stave off the ugly period. I'm wondering if this is true or regardless of when the lighting is turned on this phase will happen anyway? I do plan on adding microbacter clean in about 3 weeks once no ammonia and a yellow tang. Thoughts on the lighting timing please

Welcome! Glad you joined. I've always dealt with the 'ugly' phase... builds character (or drives one crazy... I've both character and crazy) ... Would think keeping lights off for so long also strengthens patience, another great trait for this hobby. In my opinion, it will boil down to personal preference and what you can tolerate.

Yellow tangs don't tolerate much, so I would have your tank well settled to ensure happy fish, making sure your feeding and system are synchronized aka you are managing parameters.

Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This might help you find people local to you:

Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[CypherSloth]

Personally, I’ve tried to have the mindset when starting a new tank like if it was how to strengthen the “immune system”. I prefer exposing my tank to ugliness while managing it properly to try to keep the system healthy and able to overcome things that inevitably happen. Or I could just be skeptical of alternatives

 

[South Carolina reef]

Welcome! Glad you joined. I've always dealt with the 'ugly' phase... builds character (or drives one crazy... I've both character and crazy) ... Would think keeping lights off for so long also strengthens patience, another great trait for this hobby. In my opinion, it will boil down to personal preference and what you can tolerate.

Yellow tangs don't tolerate much, so I would have your tank well settled to ensure happy fish, making sure your feeding and system are synchronized aka you are managing parameters.

Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This might help you find people local to you:

Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks

Personally, I’ve tried to have the mindset when starting a new tank like if it was how to strengthen the “immune system”. I prefer exposing my tank to ugliness while managing it properly to try to keep the system healthy and able to overcome things that inevitably happen. Or I could just be skeptical of alternatives

Thanks.

 

[South Carolina reef]

The beginning

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome and glad you are here! Personally I would prefer to deal with the uglies early on before you add corals. You look like you scaped with plans for coral placement ( by the way, nice scape) but that’s my opinion for what it’s worth. Good luck!

 

[South Carolina reef]

I tried to take coral placement into consideration yes and thank you. I worked on it for days and finally just said ( make up your mind already lol).