Lights while rock is curing question....

[mterrace]

I am setting up a new 90 gal Reef tank. I have 130# of Fiji rock coming in, and was wondering how much lighting should I use while it is curing/cycling....I have 2x250MH, and 4x65W actinics. The place that i ordered the rock from said that I should only use the actinics for about 4 hours a day for now, so that i don't "burn" the rock....if that is true, then when should I start my normal lighting cycle? Once I add fish/coral?
Thanks in advance?
Mark

 

[tizzo]

You are going to cure your rock in your tank?? You don't need any lighting, you may not even want it on since the curing process will cloud the water...
If you DO put them on they will not hurt anything. Nothing will burn. You can start your normal lighting cycle whever you want. But having it set up before you add fish would be the only deadline.

 

[reefkprz]

I like keeping lights running during the cycle because it helps keep the coraline alive even if you cant see much a speck or two is all it takes. if it cant photosynthesize it could die off more. but you dont absolutly need lights during a cycle. A lot of people dont run them to keep nuiscance algae from gaining a foothold during the high nutrient stage of the cycle but I think the benifit of keeping coraline or any other potentially photosynthetic life on the rock alive is worth it. (like macro algaes and stuff like that, you never know whats on the rocks that you cant see)

 

[reefkprz]

Oh sorry missed your last question, your not going to burn your rocks. I would reccomend double checking any information you get from the source that told you that.

 

[mterrace]

Here is what I got from their FAQ section: They also told me the same thing when I called and ordered it.....
Does the live rock need light when curing?
Yes, but not the same amount as acroporas or clams.
Some people burn their rock by giving too much light.
Do not give more than four to six hours of strong light
during curing. Provide six hours of fluorescent, VHO,
compact fluorescent of actinic and/or 50-50's,
but not 20k's.
Thanks for all of your input...I'll keep the lights on
Mark

 

[reefkprz]

if the light would burn your rock , once you went to a normal lighting schedual for corals it would burn anyway..... everything else sounds true, you dont need as much light but having your full lights on isnt going to hurt it.

 

[myreef05]

I suggest running the lights so you can accomplish a couple of things:
1.get the light cycle on and off the way you want it
2.start the diatom bloom earlier so you will not have to look at it as long once you have fish
3. helps you spot those hitch hikers