Tail end of cycle

[kylekruko85]

So I believe I am at the tail end of my cycle with ammonia processing in 24 hours an nitrites in 48. At what point is it ok to start running my biocube lights like I normally will be doing once I stock my tank with inverts, corals and fish. And what's the normal amount of time to leave them running.

[fishfreak0114]

You can start running your lights whenever you want, I ran mine right from the get go. You do however get more algae like that. You should run them for around 8-10 hours a day

[spinycheek]

I'd start them asap as if you were already keeping your livestock. Some of the good stuff like coralline algae need light.

[kylekruko85]

I read it both ways as far as cycling with lights on or lights off. Not sure of the reasoning for both. I started with dry rock so there was nothing on it to keep alive so I figured I'd start without lights.

[Dylan.N]

Let it glow.

[SithRico]

If your at 48 Nitrites I would wait for them to kick to Nitrates and 0 Nitrites then do a good 30% water change and kick the lights on. That way you can keep you algae growth down. Other wise all the Nitrates are going to boost growth with the light. I turned lights on early and now I'm battling hair algae.

[bryanthelp]

I recommend cycling with lights.

[ReeferBrian]

I cycled my tank with lights on for about4 hours a day during my cycle.it did cause some algae to grow but it just gave me an excuse to buy my cuc once everything was reading zero for about a week.I really had no reason to run my lights during the cycle but I couldn't resist seeing the tank all lot up,lol

[Lifer]

I cycled my latest tank with no light and it was so much better not having to deal with the algae. I agree with SithRico,after nitrates are good in 48hrs, one good water change and lights on. Then have ur CUC ready. You will still have algae, but very manageable

[Clown79]

Cycling with lights is literally a waste in hydro bills. It does nothing for the cycle but increase algae.

Since you can't have a cuc in there during the cycle, its a waste. You end up with more algae than you want.

 

Coralline algae takes a while to develop, often needing seeding from a piece of LR from an established tank or from maturing of the tank.

 

Once your nitrites are 0 and your nitrates rise, a good water change should be done, continue testing for a week. If ammonia and nitrites stay at 0, you can now begin adding either a few hermits, snails(if algae is present), or a fish. Don't add too much at once.

 

You can also turn your lights on