Refugium Question

[dad&son]

I did some shopping on the bay and purhased a refugium for my 55 gallon tank . the tank is in the middle of a cycle pH8.0 Ammonia is down to <.50ppm nitrite is 5.0ppm nitrate at >20 ppm temp is 78. The refugium holds approx 3 gallons of water it is a hang on with its own lighting 6500 k full specttrum light and is circulated by a 100 gph PH. I have a few questions regarding this refugium they are
1. Should I wait until the tank has completly cycled before running refugium.
2. What type of plant and live sand should I put in this refugium.
3. If it is benificial to add before cycle is over will it also shorten the tanks cycle.
4. what other things should I be trying to growin this refugium.
Thanks in advance for your helpful guidance in this new hobby for me

 

[dad&son]

the tank also has between 60-70 lbs of cured live rock
one more quick question I apparently picked up some liverock (cured) with 4 small starfish that are now in my tank what are there chances for survival and do I even want them in a reef tank they are between 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch across and all tan in color and are moving around the tank quite often right now

 

[ivanfj]

Set the refugium up to your display may cause another mini-cycle and since your tank is still in the cycling process, I would hook the refugium to your main tank ASAP. As for sand, you can add livesand or something like miracle mud. Sorry I don't know answers for all your questions, but HTH and a bump for you.