Lights and Fishless Cycle

[kingkongds]

Hi everyone...
I have tried looking for this but could not really find an answer.

I have completed my Dr. Tim's fishless cycle.... I am wondering, can I turn on the lights now?... and should I leave them on a timer for like 2 hours per day to start and then gradually increase? I have also added any livestock.

Thank your insight into this.

 

[Hoodstream]

I’ve always cycled tanks with lights off to avoid mass amounts of algae. During your cycle your levels can be unstable and having your lights on with high nitrate could cause a ton of algae. For my 20g reef I put the rock in the tank, added Frits and some food waited a few weeks, then turned the lights on.

 

[Jedi1199]

Hi everyone...
I have tried looking for this but could not really find an answer.

I have completed my Dr. Tim's fishless cycle.... I am wondering, can I turn on the lights now?... and should I leave them on a timer for like 2 hours per day to start and then gradually increase? I have also added any livestock.

Thank your insight into this.

I have never done a fishless cycle. I have always skip-cycled. That said, there is no need for lights at all until you add corals. Lights will only promote algae growth.