Corals First!

[chrisT]

Hi, after a break of over 25 years I’ve returned to this hobby. In some ways it has changed dramatically and in others it’s is more or less the same.

Two months ago I set up a Red Sea Max e260. I love it it’s just right for me. I decided to avoid the usual cycling process. I used mostly live rock and Caribsea Ocean direct sand. I turned the lights on immediately added a clean up crew. Very brief succession of uglies.

My plan was/is to add corals and other inverts long before fish so I have a decent ecosystem going. I’ve started with softies adding something every week. So far pretty happy with it. Plenty of critters coming in with the corals.

I am planning on nano fish. That way they will have less of an impact when they go in.

Has anyone else avoided the usual cycling process and stared with corals almost immediately.

It may yet be a disaster but so far I’m really enjoying it.

P.S. I don’t like clownfish.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Anna K]

Welcome to the community! Yes, I moved corals from a previous tank that wasn't completely cycled over to my new tank I started this month, and so far I've kept alive my candy cane coral, and sps, and Steve my BTA. I also just added two new coral in last week, an acan and favia frag, and I have more coral coming in next week. So far, everything is staying alive. I also have some cuc in the tank, and they seem to be doing alright.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Hello! And welcome to r2r.

Personally I would not do it. Corals like balance and even if your tank is fully cycled it won’t be balanced. I’ve started new systems with live rock and live sand. I also dosed live bacteria and even though the cycle is done it still want balanced and I still have the ugly stages. Also I would imagine you would have a harder time keeping nutrients up in a tank with just corals and no fish.

One thing that has changed largely in the last 25 years is the hobby leans more towards nutrients in the 5-15 nitrates and phos .08-.25 range. If you bottom those out your going to keep running into issues.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Tahoe61]

Hi and Welcome to R2R.

Yes I have a 6 gallon aquarium with corals and clams, anemones, it is 10 weeks old. I used bacteria in a bottle and ammonium chloride, no ugly stages. There are no fish and no cuc.

 

[BryanM]

Hi, after a break of over 25 years I’ve returned to this hobby. In some ways it has changed dramatically and in others it’s is more or less the same.

Two months ago I set up a Red Sea Max e260. I love it it’s just right for me. I decided to avoid the usual cycling process. I used mostly live rock and Caribsea Ocean direct sand. I turned the lights on immediately added a clean up crew. Very brief succession of uglies.

My plan was/is to add corals and other inverts long before fish so I have a decent ecosystem going. I’ve started with softies adding something every week. So far pretty happy with it. Plenty of critters coming in with the corals.

I am planning on nano fish. That way they will have less of an impact when they go in.

Has anyone else avoided the usual cycling process and stared with corals almost immediately.

It may yet be a disaster but so far I’m really enjoying it.

P.S. I don’t like clownfish.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[Just John]

I started my 13 gal tank with bottled bacteria and added some zoa frags within a few days. I didn't add fish. It was never an issue.

 

[chrisT]

Hello! And welcome to r2r.

Personally I would not do it. Corals like balance and even if your tank is fully cycled it won’t be balanced. I’ve started new systems with live rock and live sand. I also dosed live bacteria and even though the cycle is done it still want balanced and I still have the ugly stages. Also I would imagine you would have a harder time keeping nutrients up in a tank with just corals and no fish.

One thing that has changed largely in the last 25 years is the hobby leans more towards nutrients in the 5-15 nitrates and phos .08-.25 range. If you bottom those out you’re going to keep running into issues.

i have a large CUC including 14 hermits, 2 emeralds, 2 peppermint shrimp and a cleaner shrimp. They need supplemental feeding. There are also some 20 snails. They all produce waist so hopefully they are kinda ‘slow’ cycling the reef. Time will tell.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

i have a large CUC including 14 hermits, 2 emeralds, 2 peppermint shrimp and a cleaner shrimp. They need supplemental feeding. There are also some 20 snails. They all produce waist so hopefully they are kinda ‘slow’ cycling the reef. Time will tell.

Ah yes I forgot about those!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[edsbeaker]

Hello and welcome!
Nothing wrong with corals only, as long as there are some nutrients being added to the tank.

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and back to the salty world Chris.

Where in the UK are you?
You can get the UK banner here: Click Account then “Join User Group”, scroll to the bottom and click on “United Kingdom User Group‘’

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Welcome to Reef2Reef !

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !! :cool:

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

[clownfish not included]

 

[Elira_6301]

Hi, after a break of over 25 years I’ve returned to this hobby. In some ways it has changed dramatically and in others it’s is more or less the same.

Two months ago I set up a Red Sea Max e260. I love it it’s just right for me. I decided to avoid the usual cycling process. I used mostly live rock and Caribsea Ocean direct sand. I turned the lights on immediately added a clean up crew. Very brief succession of uglies.

My plan was/is to add corals and other inverts long before fish so I have a decent ecosystem going. I’ve started with softies adding something every week. So far pretty happy with it. Plenty of critters coming in with the corals.

I am planning on nano fish. That way they will have less of an impact when they go in.

Has anyone else avoided the usual cycling process and stared with corals almost immediately.

It may yet be a disaster but so far I’m really enjoying it.

P.S. I don’t like clownfish.

Welcome back!!! Xoxo

 

[FrugalReeferJon]