Do I need a sump to cycle my tank with live rock?

[rjjr1963]

I won't be able to get my sump and skimmer until April. Can I set up my tank with live rock and start cycling now? I'll have plenty of in tank water flow and could even use a 40 breeder as a temporary sump but it would just be an empty sump.

 

[jrr98002]

Yeah, you can cycle without a sump.

 

[CStrickland]

It's fine to run the tank for a while without a sump. It's best to stock the tank carefully and slowly anyway, so you might not have all your fish in there by the time you get the sump running (early on the water won't have as much poop so it won't need the skimmer as much).

But you might want to get it all planned out ahead of time. Like, you'll probably need some holes in the tank for the overflow and it'll be easier to drill the tank empty and cap the holes until you need them. Also, you won't want to mess with the stand once the tank has a few hundred pounds of water in it, so plan where the sump will go and make sure you can get it in there without moving the tank.

 

[rjjr1963]

I was just going to keep it empty until I installed the sump. Right now all I have are plans,lol. Everything was delivered today to make the water station but that's as far as I've gotten. I came to the realization that this is going to take a lot longer and cost a lot more than I ever thought. :spin1:

 

[bundybear1981]

I came to the realization that this is going to take a lot longer and cost a lot more than I ever thought. :spin1:

Welcome to the money pit know as a reef tank

As others have said you can bring a sump online anytime, they are in no way essential but are highly desirable.

Good luck with your addiction!

 

[rsain]

One consideration:

Drilled tank. If you have it set up then drilling it to add the sump will be challenging to say the least. Alternatively, you can drill now - then cap it until you get the sump.

- ryan

 

[rjjr1963]

The tank Mfg. is drilling it and installing a Synergy overflow. I don't know if I should drill for the return lines or not.

 

[DrPheel]

you can just cycle/cure your rock in a bin or in a separate tank so when your system is ready your rock will be live and you will waste no time cycling