Tank lights

[bryanb85]

My tank is currently running with just live sand. Do i need to run my lights with out any rock or fish. Once i have rock and fish, how should i cycle my lights? Always on, off during the night? Im running a t-5 light.

 

[Mark Bianco]

No lights required for cycling. 10 hours a day is average for most people.

Mark

 

[James77]

No real need to....unless you want to look at the lighted tank

Pick a schedule that works for both you and the fish and corals. If you are home at night more, set it around that. A goo photoperiod is around 8-12 hours, if you have the ability to turn on part of the lighting, you can give a "dusk/dawn" effect.

I'm more of a nightime person. When I had a T5 setup, I would turn on a couple bulbs at around 4pm, with the main lights coming on at 6pm. I would then kill the main lights at 12, and the couple bulbs off at 2am.

 

[bryanb85]

Thanks a lot for the advice. Might help the utility bill a little

 

[Silvergryphon]

I run 24 hour lights. Course, most of that is just moonlight blue LEDs at 3, but the main photo period is 12 hours, ramping up and down during that period