cycling with lights??

[AC2020x]

Hey, I just started cycling my 125g predator tank about a week ago. I got about 100lbs of base rock and added live sand. Should I keep the lights on at all? or do they not need to be? If so for how long?
Thanks alot
-AC

[thegrun]

I keep mine on for 4-6 hours a day when cycling to keep any plants/corals that may be living on the live rock alive (bacteria does not need light). Many just leave the tank dark with no problems and since you don't plan on keeping coral, there is little value to running the lights during your cycle.

[wooden_reefer]

It is suggested that light is not good for nitrification bacteria. They avoid the very top part of any medium.

But the fact is that they can avoid the very top. In general light should not be an issue.

[Michael]

a couple of hours a day at least, purely for pleasure viewing:D