To do or not to do!

[mrcoberg]

Hi everyone,
I will be starting a new 220G mixed reef tank soon. While it's cycling do I need lighting?, skimmer? or a sump.? I was planing just to aquascape it, fill it with water, add a heater, salt, sand, seed it with some bacteria and sand from my running system. I am installing a mp60, and a mp40 to move water around till it finishes cycling. Then let it cycle till its done. I then plan on piping it up to the existing 80 gallon Sump and refugium I already running on the 75 gallon mixed reef in the basement, and then transfer everything from the old tank to the 220.


Thanks in advance to all those who respond.

 

[FishTruck]

That is about what I did six years ago.

If you are going to do uncured live rock... you will do better with a skimmer....

If not, circulation and maybe a heater for stable temp is o.k. I say, hold the lights until it has cycled - either way.

Here is some unsolicited advice... be prepared to get some Magnesium Chloride in bulk. I was shocked how much it took to get my Mg levels up when I moved to a bigger system. And... until I did.... I had fits getting my calcium levels right. Get your mg up first and you will have a much easier time than I did.

Here is some more... make sure your RO / DI system is up to the task of handling your new system. I trashed my RO membrane quickly, without knowing it... and had a major setback about five months into my new system.

Good luck!