When to add things into deep sand bed macro algae tank

[zwalter38]

so I’m working on plumbing a display refugium/macro algae tank into my main display tank which is a 135g. My main question is when can I add macros, and when should I add a clean up crew. Specifically snails, conchs, and sand sifting starfish to keep the sand bed turned over. Side note, I’ve had my display running for almost a month now with dry rock, and live sand. I added bacteria that my lfs suggested and followed the directions on the package. And about two weeks later the tank would consume 1.5ppm ammonia in about 12 hours. My confusion is the nitrites and nitrates. It will not read any after dosing ammonia. The other predicament I am in is that the lfs told me I was good to add my first fish so of course I jumped the gun and I now have two clowns. So I’m trying to now treat it like a fish in cycle. But it’s been a week and a half since I’ve added them both and I have no ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. Along with the two clowns I have 5 blue legged hermits and 4 scarlet legged hermits. All of the livestock seem very healthy and nothing has shown any issues.

So basically my questions boil down to:

1) when should I add the clean up crew for the deep sand bed macro tank?

2) when should I add the macro?

2) what is going on with my cycle and how should I proceed?

 

[Jekyl]

Add CuC when enough algae for them to eat

Add macro around same time

Cycle is complete

 

[zwalter38]

Add CuC when enough algae for them to eat

Add macro around same time

Cycle is complete

Should I be concerned about not having any CuC to stir up the sand. From what I’ve read, deep sand sand beds need to be stirred up to prevent build up.

Also how do I know that the cycle is complete If there is no nitrate buildup.

 

[Jekyl]

Should I be concerned about not having any CuC to stir up the sand. From what I’ve read, deep sand sand beds need to be stirred up to prevent build up.

Also how do I know that the cycle is complete If there is no nitrate buildup.

Might be a good idea to get some live sand from a place like kp or gulfliverock.

If your tank is converting ammonia, and no nitrate is present, I suspect an issue with testing.