New tank cycling question

[splix]

I feel like I'm asking a million questions in this forum, but you guys have been great.
Tank: 155 gal
LR: reef rock 2.1, 110 lbs
sand: fiji pink, 60 lbs.

I'm aqua-scaping today, so a few hours after that i'll be ready for water.

My question is:
I plan to cycle my LR in my tank since it's an all new setup. I have a refugium below that will need a cycle as well. While cycling my rock and tank, should I be pushing through my sump/refugium or keep the water in the tank only.

If pushing through my sump, what do I need to keep on and off. I'm assuming keep my carbon reactor on, but keep the GFO out of it. No UV, but do I keep my protein skimmer on or off? Since there are no fish I assume keep it off?

I plan to keep the sand out during most of the cycle. I read another thread on here that mentions to just cycle LR, then add the sand right after the cycle is finished? Is this true, or should I add sand with my LR and cycle everything?

Thanks!

 

[Shawn O]

just put in your sand and rock and cycle it. Keep all of the water moving and heated. No need for chemicals (GFO/Carbon, etc.) while cycling, unless you're starting with un-pure water. Leave everything else off.

 

[splix]

I'm going to use RO/DI water so I'll leave everything off.

Thanks!

 

[Shawn O]

Are your reactors hard-plumbed into the return system? If so, I'd run them empty. Otherwise, just heat and circulation.

 

[splix]

Are your reactors hard-plumbed into the return system? If so, I'd run them empty. Otherwise, just heat and circulation.

No, they have their own pump. I can keep them off.
My plan:
waiting for RO/DI water to filter and collect. I'm on a 50 gp/day membrane so it's going to take awhile. While thats going, I'm going to get my live rock setup in my tank while it's still dry. No sand yet.

While water collects, i'll have it in a separate large tote bin mixing with a power head and a heater. Once it's mixed i'll drop it into the tank with the live rock and power heads to move water around. After about 3 days and probably 5 tote-to-tank movements I should have all my RO water built up to the point that i'll turn my sump system on (have to wait for water to get high enough for my drains to the sump).
Once the sump is running i'll put the live sand in.

No lights, no reactor, no uv, no skimmer on.

good plan?

 

[stingeragent]

Id cure it outside the tank. When i set up my 55 i did what your planning. Had a massive die off. Ammonia got up over 8, so u can imagine how high the nitrates got. Ended up having to do a few 100% changes to get it under control. Was just a lot of wasted water. I guess it depends on your rock though.

 

[Bogue Chitto]

If your rock hasn't been cycled before and it has a lot of plant as well as sponges etc. I think you would be better to do like stinger says.

 

[CStrickland]

The reef rock 2.1 is the dry Walt smith man made rock, right? If so, I wouldn't expect any die off. You might see some ph spikes depending on how it's made, I'm not sure.
You're "cycling" the rock to colonize it with bacteria, that can be done in the tank. It's just a regular cycle. I think your plan is fine. If it's easier you can just get all the water in the tank and then add salt. Aquascaping dry rock is sooo much easier.

Is your live sand actually live?

 

[splix]

The reef rock 2.1 is the dry Walt smith man made rock, right? If so, I wouldn't expect any die off. You might see some ph spikes depending on how it's made, I'm not sure.
You're "cycling" the rock to colonize it with bacteria, that can be done in the tank. It's just a regular cycle. I think your plan is fine. If it's easier you can just get all the water in the tank and then add salt. Aquascaping dry rock is sooo much easier.

Is your live sand actually live?

I believe my live sand is actually live. Here is what I bought.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fiji-pink-arag-alive-live-reef-sand.html