Lights after cycle

[Vinh]

According to the "supreme guide to setting up a tank" I should start using my lights as "normal" after the cycle. However by doing this it will promote algae. If all I have in the tank right now are fish and rock/sand, what is the purpose of the lights?

To keep algae to a minimum I reduced the photoperiod to a couple hours (~2) of white and a few hours (~3) of actinic lighting a day. Is there any reason to increase lighting schedule if I haven't introduced corals yet?

 

[brandon429]

Lighting has zero impact on your cycle and with no photosynthetic needs I agree w your take, use or don't use, enjoy an algae free period that's for sure.

 

[Vinh]

Ok cool. I just didn't know if there was another reason to keep lights on. I guess the guide assumes you'll be adding corals soon.

 

[haninja]

It's part of the 'new tank syndrome', you will get some algae at some point no matter what. IMO it's better to deal with while the tank is relatively empty. Do you have CUC?

 

[Vinh]

Yeah I expect algae but since I have no corals I might as well keep it to a minimum. I have a small CUC consisting of 3 hermit crabs in my 10 gallon. No snails - and don't want any. To me CUC will help a little but I'm not relying on them to keep my tank clean.

 

[Jlobes]

dont want snails? why's that? they play an integral role in CUC and algae removal. you may want to reconsider the no snail stance.

 

[Vinh]

dont want snails? why's that? they play an integral role in CUC and algae removal. you may want to reconsider the no snail stance.

I'm a newbie but from what I've read that's debatable. I've read when you lose snails often times you may not know it and an ammonia spike occurs and that can be quickly detrimental in a nano tank. Furthermore, I just don't like the look of snails all over the glass.

 

[Jlobes]

everything is debatable. you'd have to lose quite a few snails at once to cause an ammonia spike in cycled tank. they dont have to be "all over the glass", im not suggesting you get 100s or even dozens, but a couple/few would be helpful. snails and hermits accomplish different functions/roles in the CUC, thats the reason for having both. either way, good luck with your tank.

 

[Brian Kim]

I've read somewhere that most people are mistaken by thinking that the cycle process consist of 3 stages, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. It's claimed that is actually 6 (add diatom, algae and cyano) guess lighting up the tank after cycling, during cycling or before cycling does not matter as your tank will have to go through all the 6 cycling phases.
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light"

 

[Vinh]

Yes, the "supreme guide" talks about that. Lights were off during cycle and now I have lights on but for a shorter period of time than normal just to minimize the latter algae phases.

Ironically, I have a scarlet hermit crab that has been molting so the last few days he hasn't moved much. He is out and about again and he's going to town on the hair algae. Woo-hoo! Maybe I had a little more hair algae because my scarlet was dormant.