Cycling --- lights on or off?

[undertaker777]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[gone fishin]

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.