Thanks for all the advice! I do expect an ugly phase but am going to try and manage through the use of a utilitarian fish squad, full clean up crew, and my UV sterilizer. Will that be enough? Maybe.I agree, but what will happen when the ugly phase comes, it will.
Agree with you on keeping the animals alive. I am attempting water stability through weekly changes, dosing as needed, and testing often. I realize there is more to this than just keeping water, but I figure if I can keep the water stable then good things should follow. Am heading into the LFS today to pick up some final testing kits and misc stuff. I found a list of testers to buy and to avoid, and am trying to fill out my kit without overdoing it.Yes they do, but they still need stability to thrive and if this is your first tank you lack the experience to keep it stable in the beginning.
The cheapest tanks are the ones where animals dont die all the time.
I don't see alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and nitrate tests in your shopping list.
From my experience, first time reefers spend a lot in non essencial things, so that may be a cash trap.
A frag/quarantine/ separate tank would definitely be the way to go by the book. I wonder how long it takes the average tank to develop coraline algae? I plan on keeping "easier" softies and LPS to start. My goals are not absolutely set in stone, but if I take the traditional cycling route, wait to add corals/fish, and generally follow best know practices, it could be 6+months before I get to start seeing results. I appreciate the advice and hope you don't see me on a type of lessons learned thread...if so you warned me!If it was me, and this is just my opinion, I'd set aside a cheap frag tank like a large shallow Tupperware or something with a cheap blue light that you can get nice and close to them. This has the advantage of letting your corals grow out while you muck around with your new tank and allow it to stabilize over months of time. I would challenge you to resist adding your corals to your tank until you see coraline algae growing - typically a really solid indication that corals will thrive in your tank.
And yes to the point of Tavero, corals need clean water BUT they also need essential minerals and adequate lighting to grow and thrive. According to your deadline, you need those corals growing ASAP. I'd set aside a cheap little frag tank so I can monitor them and care for them more easily while my main display tank undergoes its initial setup and establishment phases.
Very interesting build .. I love that you have clearly defined goals .. just be sure you don't get discouraged if some of your goals aren't achieved. Reefing truly does take patience whether we like it or not lol. I will be following your build!