Lighting and die off

[dcel22]

I don't have any fish in my tank yet...my cycle is almost done...I have an ordinary flourescent bulb and have been running it 24/7...this may sound stupid but could there be dieoff from changing the lighting to 10 hours a week and then thus spiking my ammonia when it comes time for fish???? Why I have been running the light all day is because I have noticed a lot more growth, lots of mushroom type things. Anyway without spending tons is there some kind of alternative to have better lighting for a lot of growth and even possibly be able to have corals???? How would a 10,000K bulb work, could corals grow underneath it? I assume that can just replace my current bulb as long as it is the same size?? Thanks.

 

[dcel22]

Anyone??? Also now that I am getting fish and can not have the lights on 24/7....does it matter if I light it during the night hours?? Or should the lights being on during the day. I know to do about 10 hours or so a day, I was just wondering what would be good hours. Thanks for any help.

 

[therock0861]

The chances of any coral living under that lighting is minimal IMO. I would suggest a lighting upgrade ann then run them for 6-8 hours a day if you are looking to keep corals. HTH

 

[dcel22]

The guy I bought the rock from said that they would not die, just not grow. I would really like to get some very nice lighting but seeing that I just started this hobby I think everyone knows how bad the initial investment can hurt. Just looking for temporary solutions.

 

[bededog]

Originally posted by dcel22
.......think everyone knows how bad the initial investment can hurt. Just looking for temporary solutions.
I suggest to temporarily not buy any corals. Wait until you have the lights to support them. I say this because I am in a similar situation. I can't afford new lights right now. If you we can't afford new lights then it doesn't seem very smart to spend money on coral that aren't going to live anyway. Save the money you were going to spend on coral and you are on your way to having enough money to buy new lights.

 

[dcel22]

Originally posted by Bededog
I suggest to temporarily not buy any corals. Wait until you have the lights to support them. I say this because I am in a similar situation. I can't afford new lights right now. If you we can't afford new lights then it doesn't seem very smart to spend money on coral that aren't going to live anyway. Save the money you were going to spend on coral and you are on your way to having enough money to buy new lights.
I didn't plan on getting corals until I had the lights... Unless I woreded it incorrectly (I was just saying that there was some on some of my LR that I bought)....anyway does anyone know if tehre would be die off and give me an ammonia spike???