Light Duration while curing/cycling

[rusty-nail-z]

Hi, i wondered what would be a good amount of time to have my lights on while I am curing my live rocks/sand and cycling my tank. My lighting right now is basic, until I get ready to start introducing corals, etc.

 

[ttomkat1]

You really don't need any light during the cycle. You will just encourage an algae bloom.

---ttomkat1

 

[sir_dudeguy]

you're gonna get algae blooms in the beginning no matter what, regardless of having the light on during the cycle or not. And actually, on the last 3 tanks i've started i've run normal light cycles during the cycle. The diatoms come within the first couple days, but then they're also gone before the cycle is even over and you start stocking the tank. Where on the other tanks i've cycled i've kept the lights off during the cycle. No diatoms or anything during the cycle but right when the lights start coming on after the cycle i've had diatoms come up then. It doesnt matter....you're gonna get algae in the beginning no matter what...why not get it gone sooner? Thats the way i look at it anyways. I personally will always run normal light cycles from now during a cycle to get those diatoms and other algaes gone sooner. I like having a clean tank when i start stocking it w/corals

Either way its your choice though. Not like it matters unless you've already got corals.

 

[rusty-nail-z]

Thanx guys, one quick question, what is a good "normal" lighting cycle to get use to? I will be adding coral, and eventually fish...

 

[jjclark22]

i run my lighting for about 9 hours or so and then i kick on all the lunar lights. as far as running your lights during the curing process i have always done it you will get algae no matter what just start your normal cycle and keep it at that...