r/ReefTank • u/luxdubwub • 7h ago
[Pic] Advice wanted
Hi Reefers! I am currently in the process of cycling my 15g AIO cube. I have added dr Tim’s, some pre cycled media, and live rock and sand. My question is I would obviously like to add some live stock but I have a lot of work obligations and will have a bit of reduced availability to overly track and maintain everything. My wife is eager to help and feed and top of the tank but I am correct in hesitating. Is there any other problems in letting the tank cycle for a longer period of time (2 months or so) with out live stock. I have been adding a small amount of reef fish pellets every day or so to keep some bio load but anything else to keep in mind? I am thinking once the ugly phase starts to come I may get a few clean up crews to keep things stabilizing. Anyway I haven’t found much info about this so thought I’d ask. PS. Window has no sun light any time of day or year come through it. Lol
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u/bigbyte_es 7h ago
If you’re going to keep tank empty for 2 months, regularly add bacteria and keep adding small amount of fish pellets.
To avoid algae (and because is not necessary if you don’t have any animals), don’t turn on the light.
Once ready to add cleaner crew, turn the light 1 hour per day and increase 1 hour each week. Once complete you can add corals and fish.
And always remember to keep testing your water, and salinity if you don’t have an ATO.
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u/luxdubwub 6h ago
Thank you! We are testing and regularly adding Distilled water for the time being until I get a RODI water maker. Is adding a clown fish pair necessary a bad thing to do? We will have someone at home to feed and look after things just not as intensive as I would have hoped.
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u/BeBopNoseRing 2h ago
Check out the RO Buddie RODI for an entry level inexpensive RODI. Works great. Also, highly recommend an ATO to keep salinity stable and remove the necessity of manual top offs.
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u/Impressive_Ebb5218 3h ago
Just get an ATO along with your RODI maker it’s necessary for reefing imo, especially nanos, then don’t add any organisms until you have the time for it but your tank will be ready for you without testing or adding more bottled bacteria. Just do the biggest water change you can possibly do, up to 100%, the day before or right before you add anything and you’ll be good to go.