Do refugiums effect cylce

[Lindsay1126]

So I am doing my first reef build. I was just thinking about everything, and starting wondering about thinking about the cycle. So I am planning to have a 15-16 gallon fuge, with tons of macro. If I run this during cycle, will it effect it? If macro eats nitrates and phosphates, will I be able to tell when nitrites turn to nitrates? Does macro eat ammonia? Sorry for such a newbie question. Thanks.

 

[DLHDesign]

I would suggest waiting on macro additions until after your cycle.

The macros won't impact your ammonia phase, no - but they also might not survive it. Which means - at best - you would be introducing a nutrient source for the bacteria you're looking to grow. And while that may be a good thing in part, it's not a very controlled source (versus, say, bacteria-in-a-bottle or even a small raw shrimp). It's also likely to be more of a mess in your fuge - which is never a fun way to begin a tank.
Additionally, it's possible that the macro could out-compete the bacteria that you're trying to get settled in. This could, potentially, result in a longer cycle than you would otherwise have.

 

[Lindsay1126]

I would suggest waiting on macro additions until after your cycle.

The macros won't impact your ammonia phase, no - but they also might not survive it. Which means - at best - you would be introducing a nutrient source for the bacteria you're looking to grow. And while that may be a good thing in part, it's not a very controlled source (versus, say, bacteria-in-a-bottle or even a small raw shrimp). It's also likely to be more of a mess in your fuge - which is never a fun way to begin a tank.
Additionally, it's possible that the macro could out-compete the bacteria that you're trying to get settled in. This could, potentially, result in a longer cycle than you would otherwise have.

That makes sense. I will hold off. I am glad I thought of it. This is my first saltwater build and I hadn't even thought about macro.

 

[DLHDesign]

The number of things you don't think to think about with your first tank are staggering in retrospect (eventually, of course).

Enjoy the journey and don't sweat the learning opportunities (some call them "mistakes", for some reason...)! :-)