Bringing a Fuge on-line?

[network13]

I am in the process of adding a 30G fuge to my system. Currently I am running a 50G display tank and a 20G used for the sump. In the sump I am running 15-20lbs. of live rock in place of bio-balls, a skimmer, and a tray where I run charcoal and phosphate sponge on occasion. I am setting the fuge up next to the display and will tap off the returns from the sump to go to the fuge, the fuge will empty in to the main display via gravity. I'll have the 30XH drilled for a 1" bulkhead fitting for the drain with a standpipe and a 3/4" bulkhead for the returnfrom the sump. My plan calls for the holes being in the side panel. About 4 to 6 inches from the top of the tank.
In the fuge I plan on housing a 6" DSB, macro algaes, and some live rock it will be lit with 130w of PC and some natrual sunlight.
I am planning it like this, add the sustrate then the SW and let it sit, unconnected from the main system until it settles, then add algae, then ease the flow in to it. At first i'll probably get a pound of the Chetmo prolifera from a fleabayer that is within a days shipping of my house,
As for substrate, I've got a lead on some southdown sand so the sand will be fresh and new, or I've also been offered to scrape the muck and mud out of the bottom of my LFS live rock tanks, would this be like home made mirracle mud or would that be a bad idea?
I'd like to bring this on-line, obviously, with minimal impact on the system as it stands now. Will doing this bring on a new cycle? If so, what can I do to minimise the effects?

 

[golfish]

The plan sounds good..If you use Southdown don't rinse it, the fine silt you rinse away is the best part.
I'd really try and build an overflow if you can..or use more then one bulkhead for draining. Things tend to clog faster in fuges..
What kind of lighitng are you going to use?
I was at Costco on Sunday. They have the LOA fixtures for under 9.00

 

[network13]

I have 2 65w Power Compact sets i'll be using, havent bought the bulbs yet, still open to sugestions.
What about using the mud from the LFS live rock bins? I figure it's been "curing" in the vats for who knows how long, so it should be cycled right? running my fingers through it feels like it should be rich and fertile. Has anyone tried this yet? It really seems like a good idea on paper.

 

[thomas712]

The plan does sound good but I would add this:
1. Precure your southdown sand using old tank water. This can be done over a week in your 30 gallon, just use the old water, heater and small powerhead. As Mark stated do not rinse it.
2. You can add a cup or so of the mud from the LFS live rock vat to help seed it. This will give it a boost of bacteria and hopefully any live critters that may be in the mud.
3. You may experience a bit of a new cycle, some new diatoms in the fuge perhaps but it really should be minimal. I don't really recall much when I added a 55 gallon fuge to my 90 gallon. Personally I would use Chaetomorpa algea, this would give plenty of room to house the pods and worms and with some live rock it soulds like a great fuge.