Coralline, LR, and lights

[pikachusalad]

Planning on 4 54W T5s with individual reflectors in my 4 foot 55 gal.

I know this isn't much light in the grand scheme (like if I had a couple 250W MH) but...will this be too much light for coralline on my LR? I just don't want to spend a bunch on the "good stuff" if it's going to end up looking like plain old rock anyway - I'd just buy the cheaper LR.

This came from a post I was reading (lost the link sorry) where someone was describing his two tanks, and the one with better lighting had LR deviod of coralline, while the other had LR that was covered.

 

[Agu]

There are several factors that effect the growth of coralline algae, light is only one factor.

You don't have too much light , or too little light because different coralines grow at different light intensities.

Good water quality and calcium levels are the main determining factors in determining if your coraline grows or not. Most people with good water quality have no issues growing coraline to the point it becomes a nuisance :lol: .

 

[Capt_Cully]

You can just time your lights over a short interval when starting to give the coralline time to catch up. There will likely be a period where the existing coralline recesses, then rebounds beyond what it originally was. During that time, set your lights to a shorter photoperiod. Maybe 5 hrs (other opinions would help here), then gradually increase the time they're on. Say 1/2 hour a month until you're up to your desired time (maybe 10-12 hrs).

This is what I was told, and in my experience it held true. I ran my t5's 12 hrs, and started my halides out at 4 1/2 hrs, and have increased them slowly. Now on 6 1/2. Worked for me. Good Luck.

 

[pikachusalad]

This is helpful, thanks for the replies.

I plan on curing the live rock in my aquarium, since it's a new setup - I've heard a lot of differing opinions on lighting during the curing process.

I'll still have my original lights - a couple NO 36 inch tubes one pure actinic, and one...um...white or something.

Should I use lights during curing (and tank cycling) and if so, should I just use the old ones or should I put in the T5s?