with new tank does light timing even matter

[want 2B reef]

Just setting up my tank....all I have in is sand and live rock...
Does the live rock really care, like the corals obviouisly do, about light timing etc....?

tanks,
Dave

 

[Bri Guy]

Leave them OFF for a little while, all its going to do is wear out your bulbs, and promote algae growth thats bound to happen anyways, why give it encouragement.

Definatly get some timers for them, timers for everything. There great!

As for the actual timing thats to your personal prefrence, Ive heard of people running there lights in the middle of the night only, to cut on electric cost, and heating issues. The corals/fish/rock don't seem to be affected.

 

[datablitz]

it is important to keep your lighting to a set schedule. when your lights are on your ph will raise due to the photosynthisis in the tank, and ph will drop when the lights are off. running lights on a timer helps keep a normal swing in ph vs a large difference. also if you were to accidentally leave your lights on for over 12 hours continuously, accidentally, you would probably get a bad algae problem, as well as making the tank more toxic bue to the higher ph