Question about cycling w/o lighting

[jusbechillin]

So I've been doing SW for maybe 8 months.. Anyways my question is in regards to cycling a new tank. I have had the tank setup with water/rocks/sand for over 3 weeks now (NO LIGHTS). Now my canopy is done and on Thursday I should receive my Lumenbright reflectors. Question is:

Does the tank need light too cycle? Should I be ready fairly quick to stock the tank as long as the levels read good? I understand 3-4 week wait should be just about right to stock the tank but I wasnt sure how the lack of lighting would effect things.

Another thing. The new Lumenbrights should really raise the PAR in the tank from the crappy sheet of reflective material I am running on the current tank. How do I introduce the new lighting to the corals when I move them in? I do not have the equipment to measure PAR to tell what the difference will be either.

[BigAl07]

It all depends on your "Test Results" and has nothing to do with your lights

The "Exising" lights don't matter because since it's a new tank you don't have any coral in it.

Light Acclimation is a matter of using something to "dim/shade" some of the light so that you don't bleach the coral. I use Window Screen material (available at your hardware store) and try to use several layers to approximate what light was originally striking the coral. Then remove one layer per week.

do this for new corals, new bulbs in an existing fixture or a new fixture.

[prow]

Originally Posted by jusbechillin

So I've been doing SW for maybe 8 months..

nice ..............so where are the pic's

I have had the tank setup with water/rocks/sand for over 3 weeks now (NO LIGHTS).

sounds good. are testing anything? how was the rock dead or live, cured or uncured, got a pic
how big is the tank and what type of everything do have in/on it? like pumps, skimmer, powerheads, sump, ect.....

Now my canopy is done and on Thursday I should receive my Lumenbright reflectors.

Does the tank need light too cycle?

nope..but it does need a food source(something organic to breakdown and cycle)

Should I be ready fairly quick to stock the tank as long as the levels read good?

i am thinking..nope. have you added anything like a deli shrimp or something? are you dosing anything? all water parameters?

I understand 3-4 week wait should be just about right to stock the tank but I wasnt sure how the lack of lighting would effect things.

stock it with what? not fish, likely no corals yet either, clean up crew maybe some...first need to make sure your tank is cycling and able to support a fish or is stable enough to support a coral. it is possible if you are using fully cured rock and water parameters are good, including chemistry.

Another thing. The new Lumenbrights should really raise the PAR in the tank from the crappy sheet of reflective material I am running on the current tank. How do I introduce the new lighting to the corals when I move them in? I do not have the equipment to measure PAR to tell what the difference will be either.

slowly. start with a couple hours a day and increase it 30min everyother day. depending on how your corals react you keep it up till you get where you want your photoperiod. if your corals need more time at a certain photoperiod then allow them the time they need.. give this a read. read the whole thread many of the questions asked really help you "get it" Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank.

[new reefer 03]

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