Lighting during a cycle.

[Uncle Boo]

I'm two weeks into my cycle and was wondering if there is a rule of thumb when to start using lights. For now I have natural light coming in from 6' french doors and I turn my tank lights on when I want to look at what's happening in there, usually a few times a day. I do have my moonlights on for a few hours each night since I set my timers up.

PS
Does algae always show up at some point in a cycle?

 

[WaterKeeper]

As long as there is sufficient natural light reaching the tank to provide light for the coralline on the rock it is fine. Coralline is a low light algae and doesn't need much. If you wish you may want to run your lights just a couple of hours per day to supplement what you have an acclimate any critters on the rock to their new environment.

As to the algae--you can bet on it. Welcome to the wonderful world of marine algae.