Lighting cycle in new tank

stevetcg · 12/31/2009, 08:18 AM

We started a second tank about 6 weeks ago because the clowns in our main tank started to get aggressive towards each other.

Our new tank is a 20L with 65w x 2 PC (12k + Actinic) and moonlights. Since the pair of tomato clowns, a lonely bangai (third wheel) and a handful of snails and hermits are the only residents with some LR and LS, should I even worry about running all of the lights? On a cycle? Each type of light is individually controllable and programmable.

Ultimately I will put in a bubble tip nem for the clowns but the tank is still too new for that. All other parameters are within expected levels. (0/0/~30/1.025/8.1)

TIA

Chiefsurfer · 12/31/2009, 08:37 AM

if you have FOWLR, lights are more for decoration than necessity. You can either turn them on whenever you want to view the fish, or do whatever type of schedule you want. If you eventually want a nem, which requires a strict schedule of light, I would just start with that now. That way everything is already used to and trained on that lighting regimin.

As to the clowns, if you bought both clowns as juveniles, it is VERY natural for them to fight eachother.

stevetcg · 12/31/2009, 08:57 AM

Oh, yes, we knew we would have the turf war since we bought a tomato and occilaris as juvi and put them in the same tank. We later added a second Occ and they paired up. Oddly enough, its the tomato that went after them. So we moved the Tom to his own 20l and added a boyfriend for her. Now everyone seems happy.

Michael · 12/31/2009, 12:45 PM

even with a fish only tank, if you use living rock as your mainstay biological filtration then lighting is a must imo, not only will it create attractive corraline algae with the proper parameter levels, but the many living organisms on and in it will thrive if subjected to light imo

12/31/2009, 08:18 AM	#1
stevetcg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne FL Posts: 321	Lighting cycle in new tank We started a second tank about 6 weeks ago because the clowns in our main tank started to get aggressive towards each other. Our new tank is a 20L with 65w x 2 PC (12k + Actinic) and moonlights. Since the pair of tomato clowns, a lonely bangai (third wheel) and a handful of snails and hermits are the only residents with some LR and LS, should I even worry about running all of the lights? On a cycle? Each type of light is individually controllable and programmable. Ultimately I will put in a bubble tip nem for the clowns but the tank is still too new for that. All other parameters are within expected levels. (0/0/~30/1.025/8.1) TIA

12/31/2009, 12:45 PM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	even with a fish only tank, if you use living rock as your mainstay biological filtration then lighting is a must imo, not only will it create attractive corraline algae with the proper parameter levels, but the many living organisms on and in it will thrive if subjected to light imo __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/31/2009, 08:37 AM	#2
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	if you have FOWLR, lights are more for decoration than necessity. You can either turn them on whenever you want to view the fish, or do whatever type of schedule you want. If you eventually want a nem, which requires a strict schedule of light, I would just start with that now. That way everything is already used to and trained on that lighting regimin. As to the clowns, if you bought both clowns as juveniles, it is VERY natural for them to fight eachother.

12/31/2009, 08:57 AM	#3
stevetcg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne FL Posts: 321	Oh, yes, we knew we would have the turf war since we bought a tomato and occilaris as juvi and put them in the same tank. We later added a second Occ and they paired up. Oddly enough, its the tomato that went after them. So we moved the Tom to his own 20l and added a boyfriend for her. Now everyone seems happy.