Cycling without lighting....How long?

Gunsnroses · 01/30/2014, 05:32 AM

I almost have everything I need to get my tank going. My sand will arrive next week and I am picking up 200lbs of dry rock today.
I bought 180lbs of dry sand and a 20lb bag of live.
I still have not decided on lighting yet but I would like to get my cycle started.

So, how long can I run my tank with no lighting in the display?
Maximum??

shifty51008 · 01/30/2014, 06:20 AM

With only dry rock and sand you can run it forever with no light as you dont have anything in the tank that uses light to survive.

Fishmommy · 01/30/2014, 06:23 AM

Light isn't needed for the cycle to progress, but it will help get algae phases underway early on.

Sugar Magnolia · 01/30/2014, 09:09 AM

Yep, you can run without lights indefinitely. I cycled my dry rock for two months in a rubber tote with just a heater and powerhead.

snorvich · 01/30/2014, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

Yep, you can run without lights indefinitely. I cycled my dry rock for two months in a rubber tote with just a heater and powerhead.

I have a large tub where I recycle live rock (to remove hitch hikers) and it has a powerhead and stays about 72F without a heater. No lights, no issue what so ever.

Gunsnroses · 01/30/2014, 05:40 PM

Thats great news. That gives me time to make the right decision on lighting.
I have no fish stores around here that uses LED lighting. They all use T5.
I love the look of the T5 but I also like all the cool things you can do with the LED lights. I'm just not yet sold on the intense blue/purple color they put off. I know most people say is just the camera that makes them look that way, but I dont know.

Gunsnroses · 01/30/2014, 05:58 PM

Got the rock unloaded. Bout 200lbs.

Jone · 01/30/2014, 06:08 PM

alot of rock..where did you end up buying it

Gunsnroses · 01/30/2014, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jone

alot of rock..where did you end up buying it

I picked it up at GlassCages where I buy my tanks. It's just a 45 min drive from my house.

01/30/2014, 05:32 AM	#1
Gunsnroses Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Pleasant View TN Posts: 421	Cycling without lighting....How long? I almost have everything I need to get my tank going. My sand will arrive next week and I am picking up 200lbs of dry rock today. I bought 180lbs of dry sand and a 20lb bag of live. I still have not decided on lighting yet but I would like to get my cycle started. So, how long can I run my tank with no lighting in the display? Maximum?? __________________ He who gets frustrated with freshwater tank, Never owned a Reef tank Current Tank Info: 180 gallon RR-75 gallon sump-50 gallon Refugium-RO Diablo DCS 200 Skimmer-Diablo 10500 and 5500 return pumps-Spectrapure MaxCap 90gpd

01/30/2014, 06:20 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	With only dry rock and sand you can run it forever with no light as you dont have anything in the tank that uses light to survive. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

01/30/2014, 09:09 AM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Yep, you can run without lights indefinitely. I cycled my dry rock for two months in a rubber tote with just a heater and powerhead. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

01/30/2014, 05:40 PM	#6
Gunsnroses Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Pleasant View TN Posts: 421	Thats great news. That gives me time to make the right decision on lighting. I have no fish stores around here that uses LED lighting. They all use T5. I love the look of the T5 but I also like all the cool things you can do with the LED lights. I'm just not yet sold on the intense blue/purple color they put off. I know most people say is just the camera that makes them look that way, but I dont know. __________________ He who gets frustrated with freshwater tank, Never owned a Reef tank Current Tank Info: 180 gallon RR-75 gallon sump-50 gallon Refugium-RO Diablo DCS 200 Skimmer-Diablo 10500 and 5500 return pumps-Spectrapure MaxCap 90gpd

01/30/2014, 06:23 AM	#3
Fishmommy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH, USA Posts: 1,214	Light isn't needed for the cycle to progress, but it will help get algae phases underway early on.

01/30/2014, 06:08 PM	#8
Jone Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 517	alot of rock..where did you end up buying it