start refugium day 1,or after cycle?

[ClearwaterReefer]

setting up my biocube 32 this weekend. Do I do the refugium (intank inserts) day 1, or wait until I am done cycling?

Mt set up as of now. (starting up Sunday)
50/50 live and dry rock.
caribsea live sand
Dr Tim all in 1.
floss, pure blue and continuum reef bio pellet in media chamber 2. (with refugium on other side)
nano skimmer in chamber 1 (will be off until cycled)
cobalt heater and pump in 3

Will be a reef tank and I'm not in a rush. I want longevity. I'm open on any improvements, changes, or mistakes. 1st reef, have had FOWLRS for years.

 

[lapin]

Nothing will grow in the fuge until you have nutrients.

 

[Jekyl]

If you added wet live rock you basically skip part of the cycle process. The bacteria come with the rocks.

 

[ClearwaterReefer]

so start the refugium and add copepods day 1?

 

[Jekyl]

Refugium yes, copepods wait until algae is present so they have something to eat. Wouldn't start any chaeto until algae shows up also.

 

[MichaelReefer]

You need to wait. Its too soon for a refugium in a new tank.

 

[ReefBeta]

Start refugium after cycle is done. Chaeto will consume ammonia and stall cycle.

But start refugium as soon as cycle is done. And don't turn on the light for the display. Let the refugium run a couple weeks, to establish and took out the nutrient from cycling, also those leach from rock. It will help reduce algae problem down the road.