lights or no lights

[Imlovinit]

Just read your post on lights off during cycling. Is it too late for us too keep lights out now? We are about a week in, and just starting to see the brown algae that we have been told is " normal, or expected" I should mention that one of our pieces of live rock has five very small mushrooms on it, will keeping lights off hurt them?

[Jack]

I always keep the lights on the bare min while cycling to reduce algae but keep anything photosynthetic like coraline alive.

[cwatkins]

Originally Posted by Imlovinit

Just read your post on lights off during cycling. Is it too late for us too keep lights out now? We are about a week in, and just starting to see the brown algae that we have been told is " normal, or expected" I should mention that one of our pieces of live rock has five very small mushrooms on it, will keeping lights off hurt them?

You could reduce your daily photo period. What's it currently at?

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by Imlovinit

Just read your post on lights off during cycling. Is it too late for us too keep lights out now? We are about a week in, and just starting to see the brown algae that we have been told is " normal, or expected" I should mention that one of our pieces of live rock has five very small mushrooms on it, will keeping lights off hurt them?

The brown algae is diatoms and you will most likely get it as soon as the lights turn on anyway. It goes away by itself in a couple weeks and usually never reappears. Mushrooms are hardy and would probably do fine. Lights on or off is up to you, you will find just as many people in both camps but either way I wouldn't start off with a full photoperiod while cycling.