Does a invert only tank need to cycle?

[Cjud7982]

I just built an all in one coral and invert only qt tank and was just wondering if I need to cycle it or if I can just mix new salt water and start adding livestock. Might be a dumb question, but I was thinking that if there is no fish, the ammonia should be little to none.

 

[DeniseAndy]

For inverts and coral, you do not want ammonia levels, so yes cycle or use live rock to do it for you.

 

[Cjud7982]

For inverts and coral, you do not want ammonia levels, so yes cycle or use live rock to do it for you.

I understand your statement of the ammonia. Obviously any ammonia is no bueno. As well as any other excess nutrients for the corals specifically. I plan on adding a live sand bed from my current running display, and a couple pieces of the live rock from my display tank. New salt mix. I was hoping that this would be enough to get the coral/invert tank going. I will add some bacteria in a bottle just to be sure I guess. Would you agree with this? I just do not see the benefit of doing a full cycle when using live sand and rock from my established display when I will not have any fish or perform daily feedings. Just the here and there spot feeding for the corals and maybe a couple crab pellets.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Adding live rock is cycling the tank for all intensive purposes. So yes, live rock and new water is ready to go. I do this all the time when setting up picos or cleaning them.