marine/reef tank

ChrisCartwright · 04/11/2015, 09:53 AM

Hi i have got my tank up and running I was just wondering when would be ideal to start adding the lighting?
I have done my first water change on the systerm today.

cloak · 04/11/2015, 10:06 AM

It doesn't really matter IMO. You can fire them up from the start, or you can wait 2 or 3 months and then purchase your lights. It's your choice.

hobbzz · 04/11/2015, 10:08 AM

I agree. Until you start adding fish you don't really need them. And even then, if it's in a room that has enough ambient light to wake the fish up and keep them awake during the day, you could even wait a little longer. But if you already have them there's really no reason to wait.

ChrisCartwright · 04/11/2015, 10:25 AM

I have got the light unit the tank has been running for 3 days I am just adding the lights by 1 hour or so a day is that ok?
My previous tank I have them on the full light cycle from a week after setting up the tank what would be best?

hobbzz · 04/11/2015, 10:33 AM

So the tank's only been running for three days? You're not through the cycle yet?

ChrisCartwright · 04/11/2015, 10:47 AM

I now it's only the beginning but do you think I should add the light about 2 hours a day?
Also I'm using live sand with lr

hobbzz · 04/11/2015, 10:51 AM

If you're not through the cycle yet there's really no benefit. It may just add to a diatom bloom.

ChrisCartwright · 04/11/2015, 10:52 AM

Ok I will leave it odd until I'm through the cycle

CStrickland · 04/11/2015, 10:56 AM

I ran my lights during the cycle. I think it got some of the diatoms out of the way early and I wasn't nervous that algae would take off when I turned them on. I don't think you need to, but I generally like the idea of running things the same from the beginning, rather than making a change later. Like you, I changed my water during the cycle too. The only downside I see to the lights is the electric bill, and maybe having some green before the tank is ready for a cuc, but you can always turn them off if it starts to go sideways.
If you're gonna use them I don't think you need to worry about increasing them slowly by a few hours a day. Just my 2 cents, I only finished my cycle a couple months ago.

ChrisCartwright · 04/11/2015, 11:09 AM

Ok thanks I will see how it goes then I will turn them off if things go sideways like you say.
I am getting some green algae on the rocks and they have been there from day one plus I've got a 850ltr tank.

04/11/2015, 09:53 AM	#1
ChrisCartwright Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 75	marine/reef tank Hi i have got my tank up and running I was just wondering when would be ideal to start adding the lighting? I have done my first water change on the systerm today.

04/11/2015, 10:08 AM	#3
hobbzz How do I change this? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3,037	I agree. Until you start adding fish you don't really need them. And even then, if it's in a room that has enough ambient light to wake the fish up and keep them awake during the day, you could even wait a little longer. But if you already have them there's really no reason to wait. __________________ 150g system. 120g reef, sro3000, Apex, Tunze 6255/6105/6095, T5 w/led supplement, 29g reef, MP10, led only.

04/11/2015, 10:33 AM	#5
hobbzz How do I change this? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3,037	So the tank's only been running for three days? You're not through the cycle yet? __________________ 150g system. 120g reef, sro3000, Apex, Tunze 6255/6105/6095, T5 w/led supplement, 29g reef, MP10, led only.

04/11/2015, 10:51 AM	#7
hobbzz How do I change this? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3,037	If you're not through the cycle yet there's really no benefit. It may just add to a diatom bloom. __________________ 150g system. 120g reef, sro3000, Apex, Tunze 6255/6105/6095, T5 w/led supplement, 29g reef, MP10, led only.

04/11/2015, 10:06 AM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	It doesn't really matter IMO. You can fire them up from the start, or you can wait 2 or 3 months and then purchase your lights. It's your choice.

04/11/2015, 10:25 AM	#4
ChrisCartwright Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 75	I have got the light unit the tank has been running for 3 days I am just adding the lights by 1 hour or so a day is that ok? My previous tank I have them on the full light cycle from a week after setting up the tank what would be best?

04/11/2015, 10:47 AM	#6
ChrisCartwright Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 75	I now it's only the beginning but do you think I should add the light about 2 hours a day? Also I'm using live sand with lr

04/11/2015, 10:52 AM	#8
ChrisCartwright Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 75	Ok I will leave it odd until I'm through the cycle

04/11/2015, 10:56 AM	#9
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	I ran my lights during the cycle. I think it got some of the diatoms out of the way early and I wasn't nervous that algae would take off when I turned them on. I don't think you need to, but I generally like the idea of running things the same from the beginning, rather than making a change later. Like you, I changed my water during the cycle too. The only downside I see to the lights is the electric bill, and maybe having some green before the tank is ready for a cuc, but you can always turn them off if it starts to go sideways. If you're gonna use them I don't think you need to worry about increasing them slowly by a few hours a day. Just my 2 cents, I only finished my cycle a couple months ago.

04/11/2015, 11:09 AM	#10
ChrisCartwright Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 75	Ok thanks I will see how it goes then I will turn them off if things go sideways like you say. I am getting some green algae on the rocks and they have been there from day one plus I've got a 850ltr tank.