Sump, Fish, CUC in what order.

I have had my tank cycling for a while now. Currently, my ammonia is a slight shade above 0, Nitrites out of this world, and Nitrates on the rise (still have a while to go). I am currently in the process of building my own sump/fuge, will start getting glass cut etc.. soon after I am satisfied with my research/my questions are answered (see http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/sump-fuge-plumbing-setup-advise-please-111947.html#post1159533). I don't however see this happening before the tank is fully cycled (and remains that way for a week or 2).

My question is, after the tank is fully cycled do I need to wait for the sump to be finished before I add 2 clownfish or my CUC (which I will order from http://www.reefcleaners.org)? Right now what I have in the tank are 2x HOB's (both worked well stand alone in 2x 55gal. cichlid tanks, not sure rating), a couple circulation pumps, a pc light (was free will be replaced down the road), ~100lbs dry rock, 70lbs dry/live sand (going with a shallow sand bed).

If this was your tank would you 100% wait for the sump/fuge/skimmer before adding anything if you are fully cycled? If not, what would you add first, and with what kind of water parameters?

As always thanks in advance for the advice, you guys are great!!

 

In this case CUC, sump then fish

 

+1 to that

 

casting the same vote.

 

I'd do sump first (I did CUC, fish, and am now working on a sump though) it will prolong the cycle so you don't risk another possibly killing inhabitants. Do sump, CUC, and what should be obvious, fish last.

 

Not necessarily. I went the route mentioned above, but I just did it slowly. Added the sandbed waited a week or so, added some rubble, wait, rubble wait, then some macro's...... then the exiled snail murdering hermit. lol. I didnt expereince a cycle at all, or at least one that registered on water tests.

 

In a normal situation I would suggest sump first, but since the OP does not expect to get the sump ready for a couple of weeks after the cycle is complete then a CUC is in order.

 

Awesome! Thank you guys, had planned on going CUC, Sump, Fish just wanted to make sure I was on the same page as the experts.

Or to see if I could get away with fish anywhere in between .

 

Didn't catch that, thought it would be ready in a day or so. Since it will take awhile then yes, go CUC first.

 

If you have high nitrites now, nitrate will rise so make sure u keep these levels down if u put you CUC in because it might kill some. I would get macro algae once u see nitrite go down and nitrate go up. And water changes every week.