Newbie Lighting Question

[txangler]

Hope this is the right forum. I am getting back into the hobby after 12 years. I have a 29 gal Oceanic Biocube running all included equipment. This is my first time with live rock and I was wondering how many hours a day I need to turn on my daylight fluorescent lamp and my actinic blue compact fluorescent lamp? Thanks
-tx

[Geoff]

Welcome to TRT!!



lighting times are pretty variable. what do you want to keep on the LR? coralline algae needs very little light, in fact i have some growing in my sump at it gets indirect light from a basement window 15' away. most people keep their lights on about 9-12 hours. enough that they get enjoyment out of the tank when they are home.

G~

[txangler]

Thanks for the welcoming and the advice Geoff. Right now I have nothing on the LR but eventually would like to add coral. Thanks again!
-tx

[crvz]

Welcome to TRT! I keep my lights on about 7 hours a day, but at the stage you're at it's mostly just your preference. As the tank matures, and you start adding coral, the coral response will somewhat dictate how much youll need.

[txangler]

So bare live rock doesn't need light untill coral or fish are added to the tank?

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT! My actinic are on and go off one extra hour then my Day(10K)are on.And my 10K are on 10 hours.

[dobejazz]

Originally Posted by txangler

So bare live rock doesn't need light untill coral or fish are added to the tank?

yep LR doesn't "need" light

[Geoff]

nope, it does not need light. in fact depending on the phosphate levels in the LR it could be better to just let the tank be in the dark and let the rock "cook" in the tank for those few months. that way the bacteria can process the phosphates in the LR so that you can siphon it out before it can become an algae problem later.

G~

[Isaiah]

am new at the lighting thing as well. I have had a tank for a year, but only had the factory lighting system. I just ordered a coral life delux light system. I have 30 pounds o flive rock, two damsels, one coral beauty, and two clown fish. Is it acceptable to keep the lights on for 12 hours with the new light system, or less than that? I will also be adding hard corals once I get the lighting system how would that change my plan? Tx

[YLChik]

Originally Posted by Geoff

nope, it does not need light. in fact depending on the phosphate levels in the LR it could be better to just let the tank be in the dark and let the rock "cook" in the tank for those few months. that way the bacteria can process the phosphates in the LR so that you can siphon it out before it can become an algae problem later.

G~

Geoff, I know that "cooking" rock is the best way to go, but isn't the "best" way to do this before you put sand in the tank.... Once the sand is in does it really help that much, or does the sand bed just suck it up instead of the rocks?