After cycle completion

[DarrenCar]

I have now officially set up my tank with the exception of lighting. I started my cycle with 2ppm ammonia today and added some Dr Tim’s one and only. My question is where do I go from here? Am I looking to introduce a CUC first or a fish or two? Without coral how urgent is my need for lighting? I have my skimmer running on wide open flow in order to break it in, when would be appropriate time to start dialing it back? Should I wait until cycle is completed?
Thanks for the help all!

 

[James M]

You need light for fish and CUC. There’s no food for CUC to eat and no light cycle for fish

 

[DarrenCar]

So I should add a light before I introduce any livestock is best then correct? Will it be ok cycling without a light though?

 

[Idoc]

When your tank can process that ammonia to zero in 24hrs, then the tank is cycled.

You don't need to add lights right away if you are not adding corals. You might want to wait until you have some stability in your water parameters prior to adding corals anyhow. Fish run on a light cycle as well, but your room had lights on/off during a daily/nightly cycle.

Best to start out with one fish after cycled... let the bio-filter adapt to that fish and then add another, etc...

CUC will only die if you don't have any algae for them to eat. So might as well wait until you see some algae growth. Without lights, that will be a slower process.

I ran my skimmer for two days in a diluted vinegar/water bath to clean out the factory gunk. You can attempt to dial it back now, but it will probably be a little crazy for awhile. I didn't run the skimmer during my cycle, though... some say it's not a problem, while others say don't run it.

 

[James M]

So I should add a light before I introduce any livestock is best then correct? Will it be ok cycling without a light though?

You can cycle without a light.

 

[KorD]

I would read the instructions on the bacteria. You are going to want to let it build up to cycle your tank, and I believe it says after adding the bacteria you should not run the skimmer for a few days to let the bacteria do it's job. You will just be removing the good stuff you are trying to get growing.

Lights for cycling are not a must, but they help get growth for algae. A simple 20w light will work for now. I would definitely get a better light before you get a cuc (clean up crew) or fish

 

[DarrenCar]

Ammonia to 0 in 24 hours, 10/4 got that part down. Stability before coral, 10/4 as well. As for skimmer it really isn't doing all that much, its just bubbling away. Since I have it wide open it isn't even producing any skimmate and I have collection cup hose open too so it would just flow back into tank. I think I will continue to run it open for a bit. Any recommendations on a inexpensive lighting fixture that will get me by in the time for fish and CUC but before I start adding corals?

 

[KorD]

Ammonia to 0 in 24 hours, 10/4 got that part down. Stability before coral, 10/4 as well. As for skimmer it really isn't doing all that much, its just bubbling away. Since I have it wide open it isn't even producing any skimmate and I have collection cup hose open too so it would just flow back into tank. I think I will continue to run it open for a bit. Any recommendations on a inexpensive lighting fixture that will get me by in the time for fish and CUC but before I start adding corals?

I would still kill the skimmer for a bit.. it might not be yanking skimmate, but it is like putting your bacteria and other good thing in a hurricane and over oxygenating them.
Anywho..... Lighting in the long run all depends on what you are looking to have in the end. I would not go through and have to buy three lights overall to get what you want. Save up and get the best light for your system that you will need.
For now a generic lightbulb above your tank for a while will work for the time it takes to cycle. Black box LEDs will work for many things in the tank also and they do not break the bank. You can also go with T5s, MH's... The options are endless. I would buy new, and not skimp on lighting.