New Tank Question

[ITGUY]

Hi All,

First thanks to the members that provide such clear and effective answers to all of the new, always learning readers. (ME)

My Question:
I have a new 90 Gal tank, FOLR, 80 Lbs. of base rock and 20 Lbs. of LR, a 30 Gal sump, C3, 3 inches of live sand. I'm in week one of everything being operational. Currently I have no lights above the tank. My question is, will the tank cycle properly without anything other than the bright diffused daylight lighting the tank?
I do plan on purchasing 4 48" T-5 lighting in the future, (as soon as my wallet stops smoking).

Thanks,

Barry

 

[skippy2]

You don't need your lights on when cycling.

 

[NightShade00013]

As long as somehting biological is introduced to the tank, like live rock as long as it isn't fully cured you should see a cycle. To help begin this you could add something like a bit of fish food to the tank. The decaying material creates certain toxins in the water that the bacteria in the live rock/sand feed on. Though any time that you begin adding things to your tank you will see minor cycles, because each part of the system has to find balance.

 

[AngeloM3]

No lights is a good thing while it cycles....

During the cycle.... light = more algae

When I cycled my tank I even put a big blanket over it so it didnt get ANY light.

 

[ITGUY]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the information.