Cycling --- lights on or off?

undertaker777 · 12/02/2016, 10:11 PM

I'm cycling my 55g tank with live rock that has a good bit of coralline algae on it. should i cycle my tank with the lights off to keep the nuisance algae down? or keep the lights on so i dont loss my coralline or does the coralline come back if i cycle with the lights out?

shifty51008 · 12/03/2016, 12:36 AM

the coralline will come back as long as you have your cal alk and mag in check. IMO cycling either way is fine however I leave the lights off just to save elec for the time being, you will still get the algae even after the cycle till your tank matures but keeping your phosphates and nitrates down will reduce the algae.

undertaker777 · 12/03/2016, 07:28 AM

thx for that. i have a BRS gfo and carbon reactor coming at the end of the month . what is a good inexpensive way of keeping your cal, alk, etc. up tp the right numbers

shifty51008 · 12/03/2016, 09:45 PM

right now I use kalk but I don't have many lps or sps and it keeps up good, every now and then I dose with 2 part though if numbers start to drop.

nate16 · 12/04/2016, 08:56 AM

Most people cycle with lights off. Daylight will get in the tank unless it's in a basement or something.

gone fishin · 12/04/2016, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

the coralline will come back as long as you have your cal alk and mag in check. IMO cycling either way is fine however I leave the lights off just to save elec for the time being, you will still get the algae even after the cycle till your tank matures but keeping your phosphates and nitrates down will reduce the algae.

I agree.

12/02/2016, 10:11 PM	#1
undertaker777 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 21	Cycling --- lights on or off? I'm cycling my 55g tank with live rock that has a good bit of coralline algae on it. should i cycle my tank with the lights off to keep the nuisance algae down? or keep the lights on so i dont loss my coralline or does the coralline come back if i cycle with the lights out?

12/03/2016, 12:36 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	the coralline will come back as long as you have your cal alk and mag in check. IMO cycling either way is fine however I leave the lights off just to save elec for the time being, you will still get the algae even after the cycle till your tank matures but keeping your phosphates and nitrates down will reduce the algae. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/03/2016, 09:45 PM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	right now I use kalk but I don't have many lps or sps and it keeps up good, every now and then I dose with 2 part though if numbers start to drop. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/03/2016, 07:28 AM	#3
undertaker777 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 21	thx for that. i have a BRS gfo and carbon reactor coming at the end of the month . what is a good inexpensive way of keeping your cal, alk, etc. up tp the right numbers

12/04/2016, 08:56 AM	#5
nate16 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 80	Most people cycle with lights off. Daylight will get in the tank unless it's in a basement or something.