hello from cent cali coast - purslane & veggies

[badflash]

I vote for the used filter approach. Just be sure it is from a disease free system. That gets you an instant cycle. Waiting a long time just plain sucks.

Fish first. Once the nitrate levels rise to around 5 ppm, add the plants. No need for nitrogen fixing bacteria. Fish produce all the nitrates and phosphates you need.

Thanks for the welcome.
I'd like to get the veggies going before getting any fish, if that's possible.
I'm a little confused about the sequence, and how long it takes a system to get functioning.
My idea is to get a small reservoir and grow bed to start, then expand to a larger stock tank and grow beds.

Would it help to grow clover in the beds, to help get nitrogen fixing bacteria established?