How long should I have my tank up before I add coral?

joem1cha3l · 11/17/2008, 08:04 PM

3 Months? 6? 12? Just curious so I can plan my "tank budget" accordingly.

cveverly · 11/17/2008, 08:28 PM

That is a pretty open ended question. Depends on the tank, water parameters, what you want to add and what is currently in the tank. I setup one tank that is only coral and I started adding SPS as soon as the cycle was complete. This is NOT the right way but I was experimenting. Maybe I was lucky but it worked out for me. In my opinion once the tank has stabilized for 4-6 weeks you should be able to add coral. Some will say wait up to a year but I have a hard time waiting for the next 10 seconds.

RobNJ · 11/17/2008, 08:29 PM

There is really no time. When you params are in acceptable range and you are fairly confident you can maintain those params. Things change quickly one you add bio-load

MileHighFish · 11/18/2008, 10:19 AM

The old school response would be, not until coralline algae are growing on your back wall. And of course when all your pramâ€™s are zero. Good Luck

crvz · 11/18/2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joem1cha3l
3 Months? 6? 12? Just curious so I can plan my "tank budget" accordingly.

has many variables, there's no set rule as to how long you must wait. Though you can't wait too long, thats for certain. I imagine the biggest component will be the source and quality of the live rock. A box shipped from the other side of the world to you door will have a lot of die off and take considerably longer to prepare a tank. Liverock bought from another hobbyist which is fully cured and has been in a tank with coral, and you could probably get stuff in the tank within weeks.

11/17/2008, 08:04 PM	#1
joem1cha3l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,158	How long should I have my tank up before I add coral? 3 Months? 6? 12? Just curious so I can plan my "tank budget" accordingly.

11/18/2008, 10:19 AM	#4
MileHighFish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NM. Posts: 1,722	The old school response would be, not until coralline algae are growing on your back wall. And of course when all your pramâ€™s are zero. Good Luck __________________ See "Red House" for pics!! I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. Mitch Hedberg Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..

11/17/2008, 08:28 PM	#2
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	That is a pretty open ended question. Depends on the tank, water parameters, what you want to add and what is currently in the tank. I setup one tank that is only coral and I started adding SPS as soon as the cycle was complete. This is NOT the right way but I was experimenting. Maybe I was lucky but it worked out for me. In my opinion once the tank has stabilized for 4-6 weeks you should be able to add coral. Some will say wait up to a year but I have a hard time waiting for the next 10 seconds.

11/17/2008, 08:29 PM	#3
RobNJ Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Posts: 945	There is really no time. When you params are in acceptable range and you are fairly confident you can maintain those params. Things change quickly one you add bio-load