Corals before fish?

[Easto]

I have most of my equipment and supplies to get my tank running in the new year to cycle my dry rock.

I am going on vacation in March for 2 weeks so I would rather add fish after I get back so I don't have to deal with an automatic feeder, etc.

I was thinking (and I think it's a little ass backwards from the norm) would there be any problem adding some beginner easy to keep corals in the tank when it's done cycling before the fish go in?

[Aquattro]

I see no problem with that, and not really a bad idea at all. It gives the tank a chance to become established at an easier pace without overloading nutrients right away. I would add a bit of fish food every other day though, just to give the bacteria something to eat.

[Frynoodle]

Once your N-cycle is done. (No/Low KH, No2), make some water change to keep the No3 in low level, then you could introduce some corals in tank. Like Brad said, you'd add a bit of fish food daily for bacteria. But don't add too much corals in tanks, your tank and n-cycle still too weak and not stable yet, it may not handle the amount of fishes you may add later.

[Myka]

Since you're using dry rock, you will need to go very slow stocking corals and fish anyway, so I don't think it's a bad idea at all. Did you add some pieces of live rock to seed or use a bacteria product to help?

[Easto]

I haven't done anything yet. I'm still in the planning stages and getting the last pieces together.

Trying to figure out how to get started with the vacation already planned.

[Craigdillman]

I would really look into cleaning the dry rock in some vinegar or (acid) and then maybe curing in a Tupperware in some heated saltwater help with phosphates and other biofilm and stuff that comes on the dry rock there are lots of people who run into algae problems using strict dry rock
Most goes away with time but its nice if it can run threw that cycle in the Tupperware container than in the tank. And your probably still collecting and planning and getting everything ready for set up anyway.

Just my 2 cents I had really good luck doing this with my 125 set up using mostly dry rock

[Easto]

How much vinegar? Dilute with water?

I also have muiatic acid leftover from pool stuff, can I used that (diluted or regular) to wash the rock?

I'm on my cell so it's tough to search right now.