Newbie Cycling Question

G Hewitt · 02/19/2007, 09:16 PM

Setting up a tank for the first time. I have just added live rock to the tank, should lighting be on or off while the tank cycles?Tried to search fourm but search feature is down. Thanks

adnup · 02/19/2007, 09:21 PM

I'm almost positive you dont need the lights on for cycling

gbtrain · 02/19/2007, 09:28 PM

I would leave the lights off during your cycle

Henry Bowman · 02/19/2007, 09:31 PM

^^^^ adnup is correct, in fact, I think you are waaay better off with the lights off until the cycle is done. (this is a controversial subj.)

However, I know this for certain.... While the rock cycles, the water chemistry will become very desirable for algae outbreaks (nutrients increase). If you run the lights during the cycle, you could possibly have an algae outbreak ! I have cycled several tanks in the past few years and I always do it with the lights off. I change the water several times while the tank is cycling 10-15% at a time and then do a 75% change when I am sure the tank cycle is slowing (ammonia and nitrite are near 0. Nitrates will still be reading at this time).

HTH

G Hewitt · 02/19/2007, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the replies! Thought I had done all my home work but I am finding I still have more questions then answers.

bertoni · 02/19/2007, 09:38 PM

It's a personal choice. Leaving the lights off will help reduce the odds of problems from an invasive macroalga. Lighting the tank might help reduce the intensity of the cycle and help photosynthetic organisms. I suspect either way is about identical in most cases.

mrbill70 · 02/19/2007, 09:57 PM

It was recommended to me to leave the lights on for 2 hours a day. This way the coralline gets some light (it does well under low light conditions), but it doesnt cause a huge algae outbreak of all the types you dont want.

02/19/2007, 09:16 PM	#1
G Hewitt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bridgeton New Jersey Posts: 2	Newbie Cycling Question Setting up a tank for the first time. I have just added live rock to the tank, should lighting be on or off while the tank cycles?Tried to search fourm but search feature is down. Thanks

02/19/2007, 09:21 PM	#2
adnup Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 2,025	I'm almost positive you dont need the lights on for cycling __________________ A HOUSE isn't a HOME without saltwater on the floor! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire, I-Tech 200 Skimmer, Snapper, Tunze

02/19/2007, 09:28 PM	#3
gbtrain Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 443	I would leave the lights off during your cycle __________________ It's OK to drink like a fish provided you drink what the fish drinks.

02/19/2007, 09:31 PM	#4
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	^^^^ adnup is correct, in fact, I think you are waaay better off with the lights off until the cycle is done. (this is a controversial subj.) However, I know this for certain.... While the rock cycles, the water chemistry will become very desirable for algae outbreaks (nutrients increase). If you run the lights during the cycle, you could possibly have an algae outbreak ! I have cycled several tanks in the past few years and I always do it with the lights off. I change the water several times while the tank is cycling 10-15% at a time and then do a 75% change when I am sure the tank cycle is slowing (ammonia and nitrite are near 0. Nitrates will still be reading at this time). HTH __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

02/19/2007, 09:38 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	It's a personal choice. Leaving the lights off will help reduce the odds of problems from an invasive macroalga. Lighting the tank might help reduce the intensity of the cycle and help photosynthetic organisms. I suspect either way is about identical in most cases. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/19/2007, 09:33 PM	#5
G Hewitt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bridgeton New Jersey Posts: 2	Thanks for the replies! Thought I had done all my home work but I am finding I still have more questions then answers.

02/19/2007, 09:57 PM	#7
mrbill70 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 97	It was recommended to me to leave the lights on for 2 hours a day. This way the coralline gets some light (it does well under low light conditions), but it doesnt cause a huge algae outbreak of all the types you dont want.