When does refug get cycled?

[kramer9]

During the cycle of the tank, when does the refug get populated with live rock rubble and calerpa algae ? I presume I load it with sand at the same time the maintank is loaded. But when do I put in rock and algae into the refug? Do I use 'miracel mud' or anything else? Or just treat it like a nano reef with just calerpa algae in it?


Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Setup -
Tank: 70 gallon glass
Sump/fuge: 30 Gallon with Mag 12 Return
Chiller: none
Lighting: Sunpod Pro Series Light - 2 x 250W - 48 in (https://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/235440/product.web)
Skimmer: EV-120 skimmer (http://proteinskimmer.com/Product Pages/EV120.htm)
Overflow: Continuous Siphon Overflow- CS102 - Two 1 in. bulkheads - 1200 gph
Flow: SCWD closed loop with a Mag 5 (http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html)


Liverock: guessing 105 pounds
Argonite: guess 130 pounds (Deep sand bed wanted (tank is 48x18 with a 4 inch DSB desired)
Calcium adder: Reef Complete (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/198643/product.web)

 

[tigerarmy40]

if your going to add sand or mud you should do that right away cause it will def cloud up your water...as far as the algae and rubble you can do that anytime. so long as the rock is cured, you wouldnt want to cause an ammonia spike once the tank has been cycled