when can coral be added?

hi 3reefers!
after cycling has finished, can corals be added already? can it be added with a fish? clean-up crew? LR?

 

go with a cuc and hold of on every thang else for a week or 2

 

I would do a 100% water change first just to be safe imo

 

I have written on this many times and you may not like my response. Contrary to popular belief, the total cycle time is about 6-8 mos. The initial Ammonia to Nitrite to Nitrate cycle may only take from 2 weeks to 6 weeks, however, the total cycle will include algae blooms, Nitrate spikes and maybe even a Cyano out break. I always recommend a good 8 mos. before adding coral for the reason already stated (give the tank time to settle in and "season") and so you can get the necessary elemental levels i.e. Magnesium, Calcium and Alkalinity where they should be and learn dosing techniques to keep these stable. If you follow this advice you will save money (from replacing failed coral) and frustration trying to understand "what went wrong". Coral should only be added to a stable enviroment, one where it can have the best chance at, not only surviving, but flourishing.