lights or no lights.....that is the question

[angelofdeath132]

set up a new tank, received my LR today from this site, popped it in the tank to cycle. my question; do i cycle in the dark or do i have a normal photoperiod for the lights? was on a site that said you should use a normal photoperiod for lighting a cycling tank, but i've also heard not to have the lights on at all during cycling. if i leave them off until the cycle is over won't that kill everything that i WANT on my LR? help!

 

[angelofdeath132]

anyone...........anyone

 

[bdubbya]

No, it's not going to kill everything if you leave the lights off. I prefer to leave the lights off when cycling a new tank. It helps keep algea growth under control. I do run the light a little when I'm looking in the tank for new stuff like worms and other critters.
Good luck

 

[007]

I really don't think that it makes one iota of a difference either way.
But IMO, there ain't sh~t to look at anyway in a cycling tank so why leave the lights on.