Live Rock Lighting Requirments

[NoSump]

I have been lighting live rock for approximately four weeks, the build-up of coraline algae is coming along very slowly (despite 2 part calcium/alkaline buffer dosing).

My question concerns the amount of lighting required to sustain live rock. I have a 4/96watt PC unit (2-actinic, and 2-10K). I have been running the lights for a 12 hour timed on/off cycle. I understand that corals require that degree of lighting, but is it necessary to light live rock at the same intensity/time frame.

I am considering using only 1 actinic and 1 10K for less time (8 hours). Although cost savings would not be the reason for this change in lighting, increased bulb life and electric conservation would be added benefits.

Is my proposed lighting change a good idea?


Thanks,
Chuck

[Reefland]

Hi Chuck,

Liverock so to speak has no lighting requirements unless you are trying to sustain colorful coralline algae or any macroalgae or small coral that may be attached to the rock. If you want to move to only 2 bulbs for a shorter photoperiod while your tank is cycling and you have no corals, there is no problem with that what so ever.

[NoSump]

Hi Chuck,

Liverock so to speak has no lighting requirements unless you are trying to sustain colorful coralline algae or any macroalgae or small coral that may be attached to the rock

Reefland:

Thank you. My goal at this point is to allow the coraline algae to grow. If I drop my lighting down to 1 pc 96watt 10K and 1 actinic, what do you think would be a reasonable lighting period (to promote coraline algae growth)? Another factor is that I have a medium sized algae attack crew - I want to be sure to generate sufficient algae to keep them alive.

Thanks,
Chuck

[Reefland]

I think 10 hours would be great and then as desired, you could turn on the other lights for the same period since you have no corals.

[Poseidon]

I don't think coralline even cares WHAT light you give it! I have tons growing in sump, it is lit by 2 bulb SHOP LIGHT! with 2 "grow light" bulbs in there... I also have coralline growing in my overflow box, which only gets partial sunlight, through the blinds... I am starting to think that stuff will grow wherever there is saltwater...

[Ninong]

I am starting to think that stuff will grow wherever there is saltwater...

That's because there are hundreds of different species of coralline algae. There are a total of 7 subfamilies and more than 40 genera if you count both the crustose and articulated forms. Crustose (encrusted) corallines have been found at depths as much as 500 feet. Crustose algae covers more surface area than all other algae in the world.

Different species are adapted to different light intensities and individual species are capable of wide adaptation to whatever light is available.

[NoSump]

I don't think coralline even cares WHAT light you give it! I have tons growing in sump, it is lit by 2 bulb SHOP LIGHT! with 2 "grow light" bulbs in there... I also have coralline growing in my overflow box, which only gets partial sunlight, through the blinds... I am starting to think that stuff will grow wherever there is saltwater...

Poseidon:

Thanks, I guess that I was wasting bulb life and electricity running all four of my PCs for 12 hours. I'll back the lighting down until I add my first soft corals. It's a bit frustrating that even with all that light and 2 part calcium/buffer additives I still have very little coraline aglae (it's been 5 weeks since I began my lighting schedule)

Chuck

[Poseidon]

Don't worry it will come.... And then you will curse the stuff, cause it is a PAIN to scrape of the glass!!!

[NoSump]

Don't worry it will come.... And then you will curse the stuff, cause it is a PAIN to scrape of the glass!!!

Poseidon:

Thanks - I'm sure that you are right "be careful what you ask for....".

For some reason the only coraline algae that is growing on my rocks is green in color. I was expecting the more attractive purple colored coraline algae that is always shown in the photographs of Fiji live rock.

By the way, I should have listened to you regarding the inclusion of "docile" hermit crabs into my attack crew mix. I started out with 19 snails two weeks ago, and am now down to 12. When I add the sand bed dwelling snails in a month or so, I plan to return the crabs back to my LFS (they may get a tour of my home plumbing even sooner).

Chuck

[Poseidon]

I plan to return the crabs back to my LFS (they may get a tour of my home plumbing even sooner).

Chuck

THey are NASTY little opprotunistic little guys... and they KNOW they can kill the snails and take their shells... Not a big deal in the wild, but it gets expensive in our little glass boxes... I am almost ready to return my Odonus Niger as well, for the same reason! But at least he LOOKS COOL and has some personality in the tank!

[NoSump]

THey are NASTY little opprotunistic little guys... and they KNOW they can kill the snails and take their shells... Not a big deal in the wild, but it gets expensive in our little glass boxes... I am almost ready to return my Odonus Niger as well, for the same reason! But at least he LOOKS COOL and has some personality in the tank!

Poseidon:

I've watched them try to twist snails off the tank glass. I'm sure that they have their value in algae control. Frankly, it doesn't seem to me that the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Chuck