New/Used Tank up and running!

[Djplus1]

So, the tank has water in it, tested everything so far except the ATO and my old Apex Lite. I actually have some living critters (mainly worms, but also Gary the snail and at least one piece of plate coral (barely hanging on)) from the sand and couple inches water that the seller left from two weeks ago. He also left a couple bags, 1 Rox and 1 chemipure elite in the rear chambers which I assume I should leave for the couple/few weeks till cycle is complete. 

 

I'm curious if I should add the skimmer I just got from trade now of wait for cycle to be complete? Also, since I clearly have some living stuff, should I get a small CUC pack this week (<15 snails and hermits) or should I also wait for cycle? I have yet to test water.

 

Lastly, I've generally always used Rox, should I add chemipure elite to the mix, or is there something else I should use alongside Rox that's either cheaper or wildly more effective than using chemipure bags every few months? Keeping it simple in the two back chambers, no reactors.

 

[WheresTheReef]

Testing is best way to figure out your next step.

 

Test for ammonia/nitrites to check the cycle. There may be some die off from the old tank sand that will add ammonia, but I prefer to add 2 ppm of ammonia and track the cycle. Once ammonia and nitrites drop to 0 in ~24hrs I consider the tank cycled to add some livestock slowly. Adding ammonia can be toxic to anything alive in the tank. My 2c, I'd be getting the tank ready for fish and coral. I would get rid of anything obviously alive (snail/coral) and cycle the tank with ammonia. 

 

I would wait on the skimmer until the cycle is complete. 

 

I wouldn't add any carbon until the cycle is complete. I wouldn't add chemipure until the nutrients in the tank measured elevated. If you go the route with corals, they will need some nutrients so no need to strip them all out of the water.

 

There are many ways to do this, I prefer to let the testing guide my decisions. I'm starting up a tank too. I got out of the hobby after 13 years, but didn't even last a year out lol. I'm currently cycling the DT and fish QT. 

[DaJMasta]

+1 to the above.  No need to try and take things out when you're growing out the microbiome and are minimally feeding.  I'd probably start with the skimmer around your first fish, and may actually wait for chemical filtration another little bit after that.  I believe chemipure is supposed to take more stuff than carbon out - some of the inorganic metals and things - but there's a bunch of overlap.  Both is probably the most comprehensive option, but just ROX carbon may still be plenty adequate, and if your stocking isn't too heavy and your water changes are somewhat regular, you may be fine with neither, though you'll have some water clarity benefits from it too.