When should I turn my lights on for the first time?

[Reef Monster]

I started a Reefer 350 with dry rock and it just finished cycling a few days ago. When should I turn on my XR15's? Should I slowly ramp them up to the desired intensity? If so, over how many days? Thanks!

 

[Spare time]

If you don't have any coral in there, it really doesn't matter. I would maybe buy some live phyto, eco balance, pns priobio, or some other micro organisms to help compete with any algae that may want to kick off when the lights go on but thats just me.

 

[BeejReef]

Do you have fish in there? They like a little light and it helps establish a feeding pattern and daily rhythm for them.
No need for coral intensity w out coral. If I had radions, I would not be able to resist getting a softie or two in there in the short term. Good on you if you prove more patient ;Shamefullyembarrased

I'd not fire them up hard until nitrate and phosphate were in a reasonable range.

 

[lapin]

Add phyto and pods. Let them breed and eat. Turn on the lights a bit and ramp/cycle them on and off. Just to be sure they are working and you know how they work.

 

[Katrina71]

Add phyto and pods. Let them breed and eat. Turn on the lights a bit and ramp/cycle them on and off. Just to be sure they are working and you know how they work.

+1

 

[Reef Monster]

Do you have fish in there? They like a little light and it helps establish a feeding pattern and daily rhythm for them.
No need for coral intensity w out coral. If I had radions, I would not be able to resist getting a softie or two in there in the short term. Good on you if you prove more patient ;Shamefullyembarrased

I'd not fire them up hard until nitrate and phosphate were in a reasonable range.

I have 3 fish. 2 clowns and a Royal Gramma that I had QT’d prior to cycling my new tank. I ordered pods, phyto and chaeto over the weekend. Should be here Thursday. Perhaps it was a mistake to get the chaeto so soon. Hopefully not.

 

[Dragon174]

You can run your lights on low intensity but make sure the photoperiod is 8 hours or less. Since you don't have any corals its really only for the fish which don't need much light and for your viewing pleasure.

 

[CasaReefer]

+1

+1on there +1

 

[markysgirl]

I'm following because I want to hear about this as well as I am in the same spot.

 

[gfish]

Wish I would have found these recommendations before I turned my lights on..

I've been really patient with my new tank but when it came to the lights I just didn't think much about it.. After my tank cycled and I got me a couple of clowns and a cardinal fish I figured it was time to turn on the lights finally.. So i loaded up a pre built schedule for good coral growth on my Hydra HD32's. Well a couple days go by and have a bit of a red slime algae issue.. I think I should have done one more water change after cycled to get nitrates down to almost zero and should not have turned on my lights..

So now i've backed my lights back down to low intensity and i'm going to add some Dr Timm's Eco Balance. I've also got a small reef algae cleaner pack with some hermits coming to help clean up the tank as I'm still trying to fine tune feedings and probably over feeding right now.