Starting a new 55G reef. Currently curing live rock in a tub. Planning on using new sand and water. Do I need to let the tank cycle without the live rock before I add it? And when I add the cycled live rock do I need to wait before adding inverts or a fish?
Add the rock and then the sand. Then cycle the tank. The bacteria lives in the rock and sand, which is what you build up during a cycle. This lets the fish live without poisoning themselves with their waste and being fed. Once the cycle is done, you can add fish slowly.