Questions about new tank set up.

[ctylermast]

So I’m starting a new tank up in the next week or two. I currently have a 35g that I’ve kinda failed at, have a crazy Dino and GHA infestation. Saw it as an opportunity to restart a much better system and I understand now why people use sumps and steer away from hang on backs anything lol. I learned a lot of where my mistakes may have been. Anyways my questions are as followed and would love input.

1. How long is recommended to start introducing light to system. I was thinking at least 2-3 months before I start introducing light. I blasted my last tank all at once, and that jump started all of my issues.
2. When to add cleanup crew. I’m trying to save as much cuc from my old tank , but I’m hesitant to add cuc early because the algea and detritus is someone a good thing in beginning as far as “nature” balancing out in my tank.
3. I want a Refugium in my sump. So do I start that refuge immediately or wait at least until I start light cycle to add pods. Because I know pods need the light to generate food source. And adding the light to a brand new system in the refugium , will that cause issue.

Any guidance to help with success would be appreciated.

 

[slingfox]

I ran my fist reef tank for two years. It was painful since I had to deal with massive outbreaks of DH so, algae, etc etc.

I did a tank reset 4 months ago. I used 100% ocean live rock and blasted it with light from the start. The tank has been running for four months and it is much easier the second time around.

My #1 recommendation is to use some combination of live rock and/or live sand—preferably from the ocean but that can get expensive.

I used to run a lighted refugium but now run a cryptic sump which requires minimal weekly maintenance. I have had to deal with some uglies but overall things have been much easier the second time around!

 

[ctylermast]

I ran my fist reef tank for two years. It was painful since I had to deal with massive outbreaks of DH so, algae, etc etc.

I did a tank reset 4 months ago. I used 100% ocean live rock and blasted it with light from the start. The tank has been running for four months and it is much easier the second time around.

My #1 recommendation is to use some combination of live rock and/or live sand—preferably from the ocean but that can get expensive.

I used to run a lighted refugium but now run a cryptic sump which requires minimal weekly maintenance. I have had to deal with some uglies but overall things have been much easier the second time around!

I’m not even sure where to get ocean rock around here. I could grab some out the water from Virginia Beach. It’ll probably kill all my inhabitants haha.
But truthfully I’ve learned a ton so I hope it’ll be easier. So you’re saying at least get one rock from the lfs .
Found any nasty hitch hikers on any of your rock?

 

[ctylermast]

I ran my fist reef tank for two years. It was painful since I had to deal with massive outbreaks of DH so, algae, etc etc.

I did a tank reset 4 months ago. I used 100% ocean live rock and blasted it with light from the start. The tank has been running for four months and it is much easier the second time around.

My #1 recommendation is to use some combination of live rock and/or live sand—preferably from the ocean but that can get expensive.

I used to run a lighted refugium but now run a cryptic sump which requires minimal weekly maintenance. I have had to deal with some uglies but overall things have been much easier the second time around!

I ran my fist reef tank for two years. It was painful since I had to deal with massive outbreaks of DH so, algae, etc etc.

I did a tank reset 4 months ago. I used 100% ocean live rock and blasted it with light from the start. The tank has been running for four months and it is much easier the second time around.

My #1 recommendation is to use some combination of live rock and/or live sand—preferably from the ocean but that can get expensive.

I used to run a lighted refugium but now run a cryptic sump which requires minimal weekly maintenance. I have had to deal with some uglies but overall things have been much easier the second time around!

So only reason I was looking to do a refugium, in hopes that the chaeto would outcompete any algea that may pop up

 

[slingfox]

So only reason I was looking to do a refugium, in hopes that the chaeto would outcompete any algea that may pop up

I used to run a refugium. I tried growing chaeto but hair algae outcompeted the chaeto. I eventually figured out I was feeding super inefficiently. I was feeding a lot of pellets which caused my phosphates to be very elevated (ie, would hit the max level measured by the Hanna checker). I eventually reduced the pellet feeding to a very very small amount and shifted to using mostly frozen food. I only feed an amount that is consumed in 30-45 seconds (often less). This helped bring nutrients down over time even with the refugium offline. My nutrients now are 0.04-0.06ppm phosphates and undetectable nitrates which forces me to dose. This is with a cryptic refugium and very small coral load in the display tank.

 

[chillout-reefer-dave]

I ran my fist reef tank for two years. It was painful since I had to deal with massive outbreaks of DH so, algae, etc etc.

I did a tank reset 4 months ago. I used 100% ocean live rock and blasted it with light from the start. The tank has been running for four months and it is much easier the second time around.

My #1 recommendation is to use some combination of live rock and/or live sand—preferably from the ocean but that can get expensive.

I used to run a lighted refugium but now run a cryptic sump which requires minimal weekly maintenance. I have had to deal with some uglies but overall things have been much easier the second time around!

How are you giving advice since you just said your tank failed after 2 years of "painful" outbreaks of multiples pests?

This is literally your second rodeo kemosabe.