Should I wait to start my cycle?

[N2950H]

I'm bringing home a new tank in a few days after being out of the hobby for many years. Trying to relearn everything I had forgotten over the years and would like some input on my cycling situation.

Here is what I would like to do...set up the new tank (waterbox frag 80), order the TBS "package", and when it arrives I'll add the water and cycle the system with the new live rock and sand. I expect the cycle not to take very long, maybe a week at most due to the truly live nature of the rock and sand. The tank will need to stay in this condition with no new additions for a while as I need to travel a bit for work over the next month or two. In the interim, during my short trips back home to check on things around the house, I'll search for the undesirable hitchhikers and pull them out as able. Ideally this would give me a tank that is cycled, hopefully relatively pest free, and ready for new inhabitants when I'm back from the road.

So my question, is this a horrible idea and should I just leave my tank dry until I'm done travelling for a bit? I don't mean from a safety standpoint, I have someone who can check on water levels, make sure power is still on, and the like. I'm talking from the standpoint of leaving a live-rock only tank unattended for the most part, not checking levels, not dosing with anything, etc. I'm not sure how fast things could go south with no real inhabitants other than hitchhikers.

I think I know what the right answer is, and I understand patience is a virtue in this hobby. I was just hoping in this one instance it didn't apply. :)

 

[Crabs McJones]

In all honesty I would wait. And heres why.
It's a brand new tank. Unfortunately accidents happen in manufacturing. A seam leak or glass crack would cause a huge mess that you wouldnt be around to take care of. I would wait until you can be home for a while to monitor everything and ensure little to no accidents.
Just my .02 cents:)

 

[Snookin]

I would set up the tank. Make sure to be home for at least a few days so you can leak test the tank and make sure all your equipment is up and running correctly but after those initial precautions are completed let it ride. I have had TBS live rock in the past. You are sure to get premium quality LR with hitchhikers good and bad but also algae and other stuff for things to feed on. After you set it up, the tank even with LR only it will be pretty self sustainable for a couple months during the cycle. FYI. Watch out for the gorilla crabs and mantis shrimp. They will likely be all over TBS LR. Just remove with traps over those couple months or they may eat some of your first inhabitants you add. There may also be coral eating pest too but that’s not what this thread is about just keep an eye out for them.