Don't turn on the lights?

[Eli_The_Eel]

I'm getting a lot of advice not to turn on my lights in my new aquarium. I started it about a week ago and have 30-35 lbs of LR in it (its 40 gallons). I have nova extreme T5s, and would love to be using them right now... Why shouldn't I be using lights? I figured lights would speed up the cycle if anything..

Thanks!

[Tangster]

I my self start off with a totally dead tank Rocks and sand and water all brand new and sterile I then seed the system with coralline enriched scrapping and a little shot of sand from and existing system that I trust. Then add a single fish and wait for 8 weeks then I turn on just the actinics to spur the coralline growth then at 12 weeks I'll turn them all one and then about 4 months later I'll start the skimmer .. I never have a problem with health or coralline in that I won't add a single coral until I see the coralline . Thats the barometer that tells me my system is healthy and ready for higher corals .

[amcarrig]

Lights don't affect the cycle at all. There's nothing in your tank at the moment that needs lights so why bother turning them on at all.

[paulg]

Ya, really no need to turn your lights on, as tempting as it is. Usually it will just bring more problems as far as algae blooms, which you dont want. Just let it cycle, slow and steady as everyone has learned. Until all your water parameters have spiked and then declined I wouldnt waste the electricity nor the life span of the bulbs. Good things come for those who wait.

[phoenixhieghts]

you'll only get horrible looking algae grow!

[Eli_The_Eel]

Well, I already threw in a substantial amount of LR, so would you recommend I put on the actinics only until I see some coralline?

[Eli_The_Eel]

I guess what I'm asking is:
What am I waiting for next?

[billgil1]

I didn't turn on my lights for the first four weeks. You will not get any coraline algae growth until about four to six months into it. All the happens is you will get algae growth that you don't need. I put one starter fish in the tank(false perc) to get my cycle going along with my live rock. Im about 2 months into it now and running a regular light cycle and everything is going good. Take it slow and the lights being off will not affect your cycle...Bill..

[paulg]

You wont see any Coraline for awhile, by turning your lights on you will only help unwanted algae growth. Just wait..........be patient, I know its hard to do. Are you running a skimmer? Thats about all I would run at this point, well and any PH and fllters you have. The more light you have on at this point the worse off you will be in the long run. I know of some folks that will actually cover their tank with a sheet during the cycle as to not let any sun light hit the tank depending where your tank is/ exposed to any direct sun light. I had a buddy that couldnt wait during his cycle. He would turn his lights on as you would to an established tank and had a beautiful collection of nothing but hair algae........lol. Had to tear it down and start all over again. He also had to place about 50/60 lbs of live rock outside in the sun to rid the rock of the hair, then scrub it. It`s up to you but I would wait. No need for light at this point, it wont help any part of the cycle.

[Eli_The_Eel]

You're right about it being hard. I don't have a skimmer yet, but I got a little biowheel that should cut it for a couple weeks. I haven't decided if i'm getting a sump or not yet, so I dont know what skimmer to buy (hang on or submersible). My lights are off now, they've been on for a week and a half now, and just today I noticed some red algae on the seabed, I'm glad that's all there is. I just put a 3 stripe damsel in, so we'll see how he does. What should I be testing for every day? What tests will tell me when the cycle is almost over?

Thanks for all the help, karma to you all!