That is understandable. I don't wish to burst your bubble, but I honestly don't see the end result you are hoping for. Part of building a new tank IS the ugly phase. It CAN be limited to an extent, but avoided entirely? Unlikely.
We have not even begun to explore your plans for livestock here. The variables in a new tank are enormous. The advice we can give is limited to our own experience and reading.
Reefing is the "top end" of aquarium keeping. The simplicity of many other tanks, simply does not bear out when it comes to reefs. These are specialized and dynamic systems that require a level of patience and maintenance that are simply unnecessary with most other aquariums.
Spend your time between now and your proposed move, reading everything you can about your envisioned reef. Study fish compatibility, coral compatibility, Needed water parameters for the stock you intend, feeding habits, nutrient levels, and on and on...
Cycling the tank is but the first and smallest step.
I don't know how well that method works out; it's not really a common practice. You really just delay the ugly phase until when you tun the lights on, not prevent it. You can watch the follow-up on that method from the BRS dude Ryan about how he left his lights off and let his mullet grow for 4 months and when he turned the lights on, he had tons of dinos and too long of a mullet.
The ugly stage - diatoms in particular (which are ugly but harmless and actually serve to keep dinos at bay) - is going to happen based on silicates. And silicates comes from glass/plastic/sand -- all the stuff you have in the new aquarium but not the bucket.
Super insightful. You are 100% right. I need to re-examine my approach. Thank you! I cannot thank you enough. I am looking forwto this next journey. It will likely be trying, but I should start smaller to make sure I ready for it
Welcome to R2R and the salty world. Lots of good advice already given. Take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.
Welcome to R2R!!!
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