When is right for light

[riley9010]

So I have seen much debate about when lights in a newly cycled reef tank should be on, some wait months while others have theirs on from the get-go. In many instances, those who keep the lights off for months encounter the ugly period despite their patience. When should the lights come on in a newly cycled reef tank? After adding the first fish, are the lights kept off in order to allow the nitrate levels to become stable, which would reduce the extent of the ugly stage without a light source?

 

[EuphyllinOHk]

I'm curious what people have to say. I haven't turned my lights on since I started my tank back in November and I haven't hit the uglies. If I had to guess why it's good practice, even if it only delays the uglies, I'd say it's because by the time you turn on the lights, your stocking is set and bioload is stable. Maybe?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

There is no rule, you can turn them on when you want. I turn them on during the cycle, algae doesn't scare me lol.

But I have cycled rocks without light in seperate tanks, I have found that 3 months (or more) is the sweet spot that will avoid algae growth.

With that said, algae growth needs more than just light, so you need to control the water quality. One good reason new hobbyists get "the uglies" is because of overfeeding, it takes time and practice to learn how much to feed your tank to keep everything happy and avoid algae growth.

 

[edsbeaker]

My thinking is that when starting with dry rock I usually will turn on the lights when I start adding fish, but at a very low intensity. I think the ugly stage is going to happen as soon as you turn on your lights and start feeding fish. It’s just part of the process, and is unavoidable. Having said that, I also believe that you can control how bad it gets if you are more careful with lighting and feeding for the first six months.

If starting with real live rock, no worries. They are covered with all the good stuff that lessons the chance for uglies.

 

[dbroncos]

I waited 3 months to turn mine on and no ugly phase.

 

[riley9010]

8 months is a solid period. What was your method of cycling, and when did it fully cycle? It seems those in favor of thinking a cycle takes several months (older methodologies) are the same people who favor an extended period with no lights. However, those who are all for cycling tanks in as little as 2 weeks are all for turning on lights and going for coral the second those cycling parameters hit 0's.

 

[Oscar47f]

There is no rule as previously stated by many people ! However this is where you need to pick a tank to emulate and a method to follow…

When I first started the hobby I was like everyone else lights came on either immediately or shortly after the cycle…

I got a job at Top Shelf Aquatics in college and it changed my perspective I got to see how the pros set up systems and they don’t turn on those lights until most of not all of their fish are in the tanks and every level is stable (I thought to myself why do it like this)

It’s obvious that they’re in the biz to make money and grow coral in the most efficient way possible and they do they’re probably the best at doing so do the math on their expansion and you’ll see it too

That being said it changed the way I cycle my tanks and do my clients tanks… may not work 100% Everytime but it’s very close… the basic method is don’t turn the lights on until at least 80% of the fish you want have been added to the tank and your nutrients have stabilized with whatever maintenance routine you have planned plain and simple

#reefsmarternotharder#reefsmarternotharder

 

[BryanM]

So I only set up my tank with live rock, I have only what I've read as "experience" for other methods of tank cycling.

Considering I've read plenty of people with patience left lights off for 1-3 months, only to turn them on and get significant uglies anyway, IMO I'd turn them on sooner than later.

Is that right? I don't know.

#livcerockFTW

 

[LiquidSpace]

I did eight months. I seeded my sump with TBS rock. Dry rock in the display. No uglies. Coraline within a couple of weeks.

Be patient if you can and utilize some live rock to colonize the dry rock and you’ll be setup for success.