Lighting on during cycle?

[HomeSlizzice]

Is it better to keep the lights off for the entire cycle, or have the lights on for only a few hours during the cycle, or to have the lights on for the full amount of time?

P.S. what is the best amount of time to have your light on? I have heard 8 hours, and 12 hours, which is better?

 

[Korrine]

If you leave the lights off for long enough the coraline algae will die along w/anything else you have that need light (photosynthesize.)

 

[HomeSlizzice]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848603#post14848603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Korrine
If you leave the lights off for long enough the coraline algae will die along w/anything else you have that need light (photosynthesize.)

So during the cycle about 4 hours of lighting?

 

[Aquarist007]

keep your lights on for about 4 hours a day during the cycling. This helps preserve corraline algae that is still on the live rock and any other macro algae hitch hiking in.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848608#post14848608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
keep your lights on for about 4 hours a day during the cycling. This helps preserve corraline algae that is still on the live rock and any other macro algae hitch hiking in.

OK thanks

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I would run the lights just for the fact that if you wait until after the cycle you’re going to have a serious algae bloom. When cycling, 4-8 hours will be fine.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

And what is the best amount of time to keep the lights on after the cycle?

 

[Mopar Reefer]

+1 trust me from personal experience

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848623#post14848623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
I would run the lights just for the fact that if you wait until after the cycle you’re going to have a serious algae bloom. When cycling, 4-8 hours will be fine.

 

[shaginwagon13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848623#post14848623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
I would run the lights just for the fact that if you wait until after the cycle you’re going to have a serious algae bloom. When cycling, 4-8 hours will be fine.

+2 run the lights for 4-8 hours

 

[HomeSlizzice]

And after the cycle should I run the lights for 8, 10, or 12 hours?

 

[turretdr]

The length of time for running your lights, is dependent on several factors, including what you plan to keep, the type of lighting, etc. I run mine 9-10 hours/day. Some people only run them 6, some 12. It is more a matter of preference, but all fish need sleep and photosynthetic corals only need so much light. So in all of that foolishness, I am saying, you decide how long to run them.