Lights & new tank

[reefrf]

What is the suggested time for lights to be on with just LR while the tank is cycling? Do they need to be on at all other than just when I'm looking?

Thanks

[demonsp]

Limit the main light time and bring up slowly. Reduces algea blooms. You not useing a substrate?

[reefrf]

Yes I am using a substrate. Approx. 3 inches of crushed coral.

[demonsp]

Type crushed coral in the RC search engine and you will see many threads on people wanting to replace that nitrate collecting substrate.If its cycling i would replace with a SB and you will thank me later.

[reefrf]

what's SB?

[kevin2000]

You don't need to have lights on when you cycle a tank ... just helping the utility company and they make enough money without your help.

Crushed coral is a lousy substrate for SW ... suggest you switch to a finer sand substrate while your tanks cycling.

[reefrf]

What is the difference between crushed coral & Aragonite?

[reefrf]

Mine is mixed 50% sand and the more coarse crushed coral (i think). Could that coarse substrate be something else? Now I'm a little confused. The substrate just came in a like burlap bag??

Originally posted by kevin2000
You don't need to have lights on when you cycle a tank ... just helping the utility company and they make enough money without your help.

Crushed coral is a lousy substrate for SW ... suggest you switch to a finer sand substrate while your tanks cycling.

[kevin2000]

Originally posted by reefrf
What is the difference between crushed coral & Aragonite?

Aragonite is basically a finer/sand version of crushed coral.

Crushed coral tends to harbor debris which will generate nitrates in your SW tank.

If you mix crushed coral with a finer substrate .. the finer substrate will eventually work its way to the bottom and the top layer will be CC. As such trying to mask the problems of CC by mixing or putting a finer layer on top doesn't work.

Hope this helps.

[demonsp]

SB is sandbed.

[demonsp]

Also leaving lights out then useing them full time after cycle can and im sure in some form cause an algea bloom.

[kevin2000]

Originally posted by demonsp
Also leaving lights out then useing them full time after cycle can and im sure in some form cause an algea bloom.

Cycled lots of tanks with and without lights ... without lights is cheaper and you get less algae .... no downside from my perspective.

[demonsp]

Aslong as you dont run lights full time after cycle is over and readjust light time then you will get a bloom from small to major. I see many , many threads just this. There are many factors but you just cant tell , so its better to adjust to prevent it. Its all about control and the more you have the better.

[baitshopboy]

My tank is cycling now and I run my lights for a few hours every day only cause I like to look at it.