Where's the algae cycle?

[SirReefsALot]

First tank. Been cycling with dry rock and caribsea sand for 9 weeks with Dr. Tim's method. Went through all the spikes and a water change. Just room lights for now with skimmer off. Parameters near ideal starting 3 weeks ago.
My question is, where's the algae cycle I keep reading and hearing about?
And
Given my level of patience, should I wait for it before I add fish and coral.
I plan to QT my fish for 4 weeks minimum.
Thank you!

 

[chefjpaul]

Algae needs light

 

[Justfebreezeit]

You likely won't have the ugly phase "Algae cycle" until you add a light and fish.

Nothing for the algae to eat and not enough light atm.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

A little off topic but very nice stand and aquascape!

 

[SirReefsALot]

A little off topic but very nice stand and aquascape!

Thank you sir.

 

[Curtis Skinner]

I like your stand and aquascape as well.

 

[SirReefsALot]

So time to spend the big bucks on lights.
Will fish and coral be happier being introduced to a tank that's done with the algae cycle and fully tuned?
Thanks again!

 

[SirReefsALot]

I like your stand and aquascape as well.

Thanks!

 

[RJinPV]

So time to spend the big bucks on lights.
Will fish and coral be happier being introduced to a tank that's done with the algae cycle and fully tuned?
Thanks again!

You can't get a tank that is fully cycled and "tuned" until you start introducing the livestock, fish or coral. Just add them slowly. Provided your ammonia and nitrites are zero you can add one or two fish and a couple of frags. Obviously you need the light before the frags get added.

 

[flchamp89]

Nice looking set up.

 

[SirReefsALot]

You can't get a tank that is fully cycled and "tuned" until you start introducing the livestock, fish or coral. Just add them slowly. Provided your ammonia and nitrites are zero you can add one or two fish and a couple of frags. Obviously you need the light before the frags get added.

Thanks,
Ammonia and nitrites zero, nitrates very low after water change.
We are shopping for a pair of clowns tomorrow. They will be in a cycled QT for at least a month. Enough time to find the right lights.

 

[SirReefsALot]

Nice looking set up.

Thanks!

 

[George81]

Careful what you ask for lol, I thought the same thing in my setup I started in feb. it’s june and I still have algae

 

[Roc83]

Careful what you ask for lol, I thought the same thing in my setup I started in feb. it’s june and I still have algae

Been there[emoji24]

 

[chawalte-qcvux5]

Yep, what others have said. Get you some fishes in there!

As for the algae "phases" if you take it slow they shouldn't be too terrible, if at all. Diatoms will be the first you'll notice in my experience... if you go slow and keep parameters in check shouldn't be much of an issue.

 

[SirReefsALot]

Got two baby clowns in QT now.
Seven weeks to display.
Ordering the new Red Sea ReefLed 50s

 

[SallyWho]

First off, I love your stand and aquascape! Secondly, be careful what you wish for! I asked the same question a while back because my tank had been up and cycled for about 3-4 months and I hadn't gotten the uglies yet. But as soon as I got quality lights over the tank and added one single solitary small fish to that 120g tank, all of a sudden BOOM. I've had diatoms, chrysophytes, and am now battling hair algae with a smidgen of cyano (if I keep scrubbing it off that one spot, it doesn't appear to be spreading). Tank is now about 8 months old, but only 4 months with good lighting. So be patient, young grasshopper. Your uglies will come!

 

[SirReefsALot]

First off, I love your stand and aquascape! Secondly, be careful what you wish for! I asked the same question a while back because my tank had been up and cycled for about 3-4 months and I hadn't gotten the uglies yet. But as soon as I got quality lights over the tank and added one single solitary small fish to that 120g tank, all of a sudden BOOM. I've had diatoms, chrysophytes, and am now battling hair algae with a smidgen of cyano (if I keep scrubbing it off that one spot, it doesn't appear to be spreading). Tank is now about 8 months old, but only 4 months with good lighting. So be patient, young grasshopper. Your uglies will come!

Thanks!

 

[Terranceld33]

Hello everyone how many hrs should I keep my light on it’s an edge led

 

[chawalte-qcvux5]

I run my lights 9 hrs a day. Most do 10 to 12. My tank is soft coral dominated and I want to keep algae issues to a minimum. My lights come on at 12 and off at 9 using a ramp timer.