new set up questions

i just got a 96gallon corner tank, that i plan on setting up with live rock, that was in the tank, before.

i currently have the water that was in the tank in plastic storage containers, with a heater and pump, in both containers.

i pressure washed the rock, as it had red alge, and was loaded with those pesky little star fish.i plan on adding more cured live rock, from my lfs, to seed what i have killed.

i got rid of the sand that was in the tank, and will replace with fresh live sand.

i was also thinking of using some water fronm my 210 reef set up, to help along, but did'nt know if that was a good idea, or necessary?

this will be a fish only, with the live rock/sand

the fish i am planning on are:
emperor angel (adult,came with tank)

harliquin tusk

large tomatoe clown(came with tank)

lion fish

giant frog fish, or wartskin frog fish

clown trigger or blue line trigger
my questions are:
since i am using the same water, and rock, along with cured rock, do i need to let tank cycle, and if so, how long?

the clown, and emperor will be added together, followed by the lion fish.i plan on the trigger being added last.

the tank will have a 20 gallon refugium, with berlin protein skimmer, and uv steralizer. i may also add a phosband reactor.

any advice, on set up, or fish, would be greatly appreciated. i would like to add more fish, and would welcome some "exotic", suggestions.

 

yes let the tank cycle till all parameters are where they need to be.

 

do you think it's a good idea to take some water from my reef tank?

do you think i should still use the water that was already in the tank, that i have in the containers?

this should speed up cycle time, no?

 

It wouldn't hurt, might help if your levels are all good in that reef tank. It would've been a lot smarter to keep the sand bed instead of replacing it. If your getting a new filter for the tank then you have to cycle for a month, if not then you might be good.

 

I would start from scratch, sometimes cutting corners becomes more expensive. Luna

 

definitely use water from 210 but i would still let it cycle, sounds like your going to put some money into it so might as well be safe

 

i kept the sponge from the old filter.it's in with the water. still going to use that filter. only thing different is that i'm adding a 20 gallon refugium.

i still have the sand, although it's been outside in a bucket, with water from the tank, since thursday.i was afraid to keep the sand because the tank was loaded with those pesky star fish.

i also power washed the rocks, and will add a few from my reef to re-seed.

 

The water from both tanks won't hurt unless there were problems before. For example the red algae, this will be transferred in the water.

As for speeding up the cycle time, no. It will minutely but it will also give you a fasle sense of security. The bacteria takes time to grow...on surfaces...and then to cycle properly.

 

i am in no rush to get this tank filled with fish. i'll let it cycle for as long as possible. i'm just hoping the clown will hold on until it's ready.

iwant to do this right. i'm planning on putting some expensive fish in there.