Can I cylce a tank without Light?

[NYreefer]

I just set up a 55 gallon with 4"of aragomax and maybe 60 pounds of fiji LR. Is it possible to cycle the tank without any lights. I plan on picking up a decent fixture in about a
week. The tanks been running for 5 days now. Can the light wait another week? BTW, I have an etss skimmer thats just sitting in the sump. Should i fire that thing up?
Thanks for the help.

[blue]

Sure you can cycle the tank without any light. You just wont perserve anything that requires light to live thta on the rock.

vVvBluevVv

[Strangelove]

I justed posted a similar question in reefs.

LFS says no light for 2 weeks with their "premium cured" Walt Smith Fiji to prevent diatoms from going crazy. Even though I'm a newbie to salt this just doesn't sound right (or fun) to me.

[PerryinCA]

I say leave the lights on, maybe only 5 hours or so, but you want to keep any photosynthetic life on the rock alive if possible (at least I do).

Leaving them off will kill of any tag-alongs that are photosynthetic. The diatoms will pass, and are unavoidable.

-Perry

[icemark]

Yes I usually use half intensity and half duration while curing. That way you can still see any cool things that came in with the rock.

[RoadDog]

Originally posted by NYreefer
I just set up a 55 gallon with 4"of aragomax and maybe 60 pounds of fiji LR. Is it possible to cycle the tank without any lights. I plan on picking up a decent fixture in about a
week. The tanks been running for 5 days now. Can the light wait another week? BTW, I have an etss skimmer thats just sitting in the sump. Should i fire that thing up?
Thanks for the help.

it's about time you posted something bro.
these guys help you out.

welcome to the board.


elliot;)

[FishTechie]

Hey NY, bout time you came out of the closet and posted.. whats up cuz!!

oh yeah, lights on for only a few hrs will keep the algea from taking over the tank..and i'd turn the skimmer on so it starts breaking in...