please answer this question

[johnyquest]

Hello, I'm new to the hobby and am in the process of starting a fish only with live rock. I would like to cycle my tank with the live rock. I would like to stock the tank as a predator tank. I have been working with a LFS and my friend is working with another in town. His guy says to have live rock you must have reef lighting or it will decay and cause problems down the road. I would like to hear your opinions and if it is true, how much lighting for a 125 gallon tank? Thanks!

 

[thangbom]

well.. i dont exactly agree about the rock decay and all that.. but you will lose lots of colors... but.. imo.. a tank without decent lighting is a wast.. at least get some pc's w/ acentinic... dont get regular florecent lighting... cuzz it's such a wast of a good thing.. lighting is what bring out the color..

 

[johnyquest]

Thanks, I have 4-65w pc's 2 of the 10k and 2 actinic blue. I hope this will work, got to save for the good stuff.

 

[symon]

that's what i started with, sounds like you have enough lighting to get things started , Live rock will flourish under a decent pc combo!

 

[jcrim]

Lights will not help the biological filtration capacity of liverock. The rock will act as the same filter without any light... just needs water circulation. The better lights will give you more and better algae for aesthitics and a possible food source.

 

[unleashed]

my 1st agreesive tank was started 4 yrs ago 125 gal 6 ft tank my lighting was 3 24 in 18 w pc florescents. these lights worked well for 3 1/2 yrs I finally did upgrade to a better lighting system .for Fowlr tanks strong lighting is not nessesary

 

[johnyquest]

I appreciate all your feedback, Thanks

 

[dme]

As jcrim has pointed out, lighting will do nothing for filtration and one not need to have lights on why the cycle is happening for it will only add to the algae one will or could have as well, if this is to only be a F/O only tank, then by all means regular florescent lighting is what you want, not unless you want to buy every month or so loads of hermits and snails for the clean up you will need.
Buddy ><{{{{">