Newbie Question on Coralline Algae

[Bmhowe]

We started a new 44 gallon red sea G2xl. Cycled for a month fishless, 1 month of clownfish pair with no issues. Ammonia and nitrates 0. Nitrate 10-20. All parameters have been stable for 6 weeks. Added clean up crew 1 day ago. Added a couple frags with coralline 1 day ago as well.

Questions is with regards to lights.

Advice in several spots say keep lights off for 4 months.
Wait for coralline to grow to know when to add corals.
Coraline seems to need light to grow.

So is the recommendation to wait 2 more months before turning on the lights, then wait to see if coralline algae grows after a couple of more months? Goal for us is a softie/LPS tank.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Saltyreef]

We started a new 44 gallon red sea G2xl. Cycled for a month fishless, 1 month of clownfish pair with no issues. Ammonia and nitrates 0. Nitrate 10-20. All parameters have been stable for 6 weeks. Added clean up crew 1 day ago. Added a couple frags with coralline 1 day ago as well.

Questions is with regards to lights.

Advice in several spots say keep lights off for 4 months.
Wait for coralline to grow to know when to add corals.
Coraline seems to need light to grow.

So is the recommendation to wait 2 more months before turning on the lights, then wait to see if coralline algae grows after a couple of more months? Goal for us is a softie/LPS tank.

Thanks for the help!

Put your lights on right away. You are only delaying the inevitable algae growth. Your fish and coral will appreciate it.

 

[gbroadbridge]

We started a new 44 gallon red sea G2xl. Cycled for a month fishless, 1 month of clownfish pair with no issues. Ammonia and nitrates 0. Nitrate 10-20. All parameters have been stable for 6 weeks. Added clean up crew 1 day ago. Added a couple frags with coralline 1 day ago as well.

Questions is with regards to lights.

Advice in several spots say keep lights off for 4 months.
Wait for coralline to grow to know when to add corals.
Coraline seems to need light to grow.

So is the recommendation to wait 2 more months before turning on the lights, then wait to see if coralline algae grows after a couple of more months? Goal for us is a softie/LPS tank.

Thanks for the help!

There's no reason to not turn on the lights now.

It'll grow algae for sure, but that just means to add critters that eat algae.

Chuck in snails as needed, for example, I have about 20 Astrea, 20 Trochus, 4 Strombus and 10 Nassarius snails is a 75 gal display. Other weed eaters too.

You don't need that many to start, but ramp them up as Algae and detritus grows.

It's quite likely that the snails will have corraline on their shells which will seed your tank.

 

[Fish Styx]

Fire up those lights and start enjoying your tank! It'll grow. You need the lights to feed the Nuisance stuff and get through the uglies before corraline can establish a foot hold and really begin spreading. Happy reefing!

 

[Bmhowe]

Thanks for the help! Very helpful!

 

[bxclent]

We started a new 44 gallon red sea G2xl. Cycled for a month fishless, 1 month of clownfish pair with no issues. Ammonia and nitrates 0. Nitrate 10-20. All parameters have been stable for 6 weeks. Added clean up crew 1 day ago. Added a couple frags with coralline 1 day ago as well.

Questions is with regards to lights.

Advice in several spots say keep lights off for 4 months.
Wait for coralline to grow to know when to add corals.
Coraline seems to need light to grow.

So is the recommendation to wait 2 more months before turning on the lights, then wait to see if coralline algae grows after a couple of more months? Goal for us is a softie/LPS tank.

Thanks for the help!

4 months ??? That's insane, but e eryone is entitled to their opinion. I say just add a hardy fish or 2 and let nature do its thing as long as your permimeters stay constance and with normal range.