Lighting question

[demodiki]

We are working on starting our 55 gal FOWLR tank (well, the LR may come later, we're not sure yet). Anyway, I read somewhere that having one blue light and one white light was best for the fishies and the tank, and to have the blue light on for 12 hrs a day and the white one for 8 or 10. I also read we should start slowly with the lights, going gradually from a couple hours a day up the the optimal amount of time.

What I read said to do this during cycling. But my hubby says that HE read that we shouldn't use any lights during cycling because it will promote algae growth. I gather there are two schools of thought on this - any advice out there??

Also, we bought this 55 gal tank and it has two lights, one on each side of the tank. There is a little glass (I assume) pane below each of the lights. I thought I'd read that there should be nothing between the lights and the water? If that's so, then do you think there's a way to take these glass panes out?

Last question, about the blue/white light. Since we only have one bulb on each side of the tank, will it look funny to have blue on one side and white on the other? And does this blue/white rule even apply to FO tanks (as opposed to coral tanks)?

Thanks

Danny & Melissa

[MikeDeL]

For a FO tank, you dont need all of the fancy lighting. You can use what came with your tank. I have always left my lights on 12 hrs a day when cycling. The algae is going to come no matter what. It is just one of the phase you have to go through when starting a new tank. As let the tank cylce, keep clean up critters, and keep the water quality up the algae will run its course and go away.

With the lights you have on your tank you can leave the glass dividers on. The reason people dont put anything between their lights is because they are keeping corals, and putting something between the light and the tank blocks a little of the lighting. You dont need to worrry about this since you will be only keeping fish.

The blue and white is "Actinic" and "Daylight". Your tank probably would look a little wierd with white on one side and blue on the other. You dont really need the actinic in a fish only tan. The use of actinic is primaraly for color inhancement. If you want you can go to an LFS and pick up some 50/50 flouresent bulbs that fit your fixture.


Hope this helps.

[GaryP]

We'll be talking about Nuisance Algae problems as part of a new tank start up at the March meeting. Come listen and hopefully learn.

As Mike said, its just part of the process of a new tank. Don't freak out over it, just learn how to manage it.

[demodiki]

Yeah, I kinda thought the "light creates algae" theory a little silly since that's what is going to happen anyhow during the cycle. I'm sure you can imagine how this is for us, though - read, read, read and hear 1,000 different opinions/advice tidbits! So we're just trying to sort out this stuff as best we can before we start our cycle. We hope to be starting in a week or so - Yay!!! :lol

Thanks much for the help on this. We will see if we can come to the March meeting and join up. Are the meetings kiddo-friendly, or do you guys find babysitters for your munchkins?


Danny & Melissa

[JimD]

The meetings are kiddo friendly as long as they dont bite... lol.

[OldSalty]

FOWRL, (Yea right). Here's what will happen. You will set up your tank and then after all the algee blooms are gone guess what? your live rock will start to grow all kinds of neat critters, possiable some corals you didn't know where there, you'll be amazed and then its off to the LFH to get some small corals, cuz the others ones that sprung up were so neat you have to have more. soon it's the REEF you always wanted. Don't spend money on stuff you will be replacing. Set it up rite the first time and you'll save a ton in the long run. You can get a ice cap 660 vho ballast and run 2 blue tubes and 2 white tubes, or 1 blue and 1 white to start out and add later. These lamps are 4ft so it will cover nicely. Just my 2 cents.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out. There are A-Lot of REALLY GOOD folks here that will help you every step of the way so don't hesitate to ask.

Kelly ;)

[Pacman]

I know everyone's been saying that it doesn't make a difference if you cut back the light cycle, but I disagree to some extent. The algae that comes with new tanks (i.e. diatoms or slime algae) is ugly, and whatever you can do to enjoy your tank a little more helps... I think if you have some nice looking macro algae growing in the tank or better yet in a refugeum then you'll have a "less ugly" tank.

I just finished cycling my tank with #1 of two rock shipments, and there was a very minimal diatom bloom. I only had the lights in the tank for 5 hours/day. Now I've got some chaeto growing in the refugium (lights on 24 hours/day) and the diatom bloom is already over (at least it has been disappearing due to hermits and snails; sometimes you can't always tell with a new tank!)

I guess my point is: you will get algae with a new tank, but how you choose to use/deal with it is up to you! I prefer to have a clean look as much as possible.

Matt

[GaryP]

Matt,

Cutting the lights back can reduce the growth of nuisance algae, but it won't eliminate it. I think that was being referred to earlier. Hair algae will just sit there and wait for you to crank the lights back up. If you are doing a reef tank you can't keep your lights at 5 hrs. forever.

I have heard of totally turning off lights as a way to elimiate Bryopsis, but that is a very drastic method and is basically a last step to control a major outbreak. Again, that only applies to Bryopsis.

[demodiki]

The meetings are kiddo friendly as long as they dont bite... lol.

haha... nah she's past that stage (for the most part... ;) )


Thanks so much for all the advice. We are really glad we found this site! It's great to have a group of people that are nearby and friendly to help us out!