Once Cycle is almost done, what order of next items to add?

[BigAl07]

I'm about 7 days IN on an anticipated 15 day cycle and I'm currently wondering when to add the following POST cycle:

• Clean Up Crew
• Pods

Right now it's Live Sand and Marco Rocks and I'm doing Dr. Tim's Fishless Cycle (estimating 15 day instead of 9 due to no LIVE ROCK).

I'm afraid if I add one or the other too soon there won't be enough "food" for them but I want them early on to help add bio-diversity and to possibly help cutdown on algae issues etc.

I'm a big fan or Reef Cleaners for their Clean Up Crew but they don't offer "micro brittle stars" etc and I want to add them as they are a robust part of a diverse CUC. Any suggestions since I have (nor do I plan) no Live Rock to get hitchhikers? Who else offers a diverse and robust CUC? I'm located in the southeastern USA ( western North Carolina to be specific).

 

[Jmp998]

When I started my recent tank, I added pods first after cycling. I fed phyto and a few pellets daily. After a few weeks the tank was swarming with pods since there were no predators/competitors. I don't know if this is the 'right' way to do it, but it made sense to me. Then when I started adding fish and corals I added a few 'scavenger' cleanup crew-hermits, nassarius, etc. I still haven't added many of the 'algae-eating' snails as there is not much for them to eat yet. I'm also trying to avoid adding a cleanup crew that mostly starves.

 

[Jekyl]

Pods and clean up crew both need something to eat. You're weeks away from that point yet. Add both once algae becomes something substantial.

 

[EliMelly]

I add pods and phyto in when the cycle is done. I would tell you in case you’re completely new the days don’t matter just test to check for ammonia and nitrates.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm about 7 days IN on an anticipated 15 day cycle and I'm currently wondering when to add the following POST cycle:

• Clean Up Crew
• Pods

Right now it's Live Sand and Marco Rocks and I'm doing Dr. Tim's Fishless Cycle (estimating 15 day instead of 9 due to no LIVE ROCK).

I'm afraid if I add one or the other too soon there won't be enough "food" for them but I want them early on to help add bio-diversity and to possibly help cutdown on algae issues etc.

I'm a big fan or Reef Cleaners for their Clean Up Crew but they don't offer "micro brittle stars" etc and I want to add them as they are a robust part of a diverse CUC. Any suggestions since I have (nor do I plan) no Live Rock to get hitchhikers? Who else offers a diverse and robust CUC? I'm located in the southeastern USA ( western North Carolina to be specific).

After the tank is processing ammonia, turn on the lights. Once you start seeing algae, add pods and other cuc members - a "diverse and robust cuc" is a great goal, but be sure not to add the cuc too fast or they'll starve...
As for the cool hitchhikers like brittle stars, I can almost guarantee that some will come in on frags once you start adding coral. Personally I have a crap ton of brittles in my tank and regularly give them away... You might have a fellow hobbyist in your area that does the same

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Also, being in NC, you should be able to get decent shipping prices from the many Florida invert vendors like TSA..

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

https://ipsf.com/ministars.html
This is also a good option. And I know you said "no live rock" but what about sand from KP Aquatics, Tampa Bay Saltwater and the like?