cloudy water

[fOnCo]

I recently added live rock to my 125 gallon tank. I cured it for a week and its been in there for about a 10 days. I was told to leave the lights on 12 hrs a day. Having a FSO I always left the lights on for 6hrs a day to prevent this. Everyone says that starting a reef tank lighting is the most importrant factor. How can I leave the lights on for 12hrs with these algae blooms?( The type of lights are VHO blue atonic and Sun 230watt)
Also nitrates are at 20ppm higher than ever before.

 

[tragikmagik]

ok how much live rock did you add is my question...I leave my lights on for about 8 hours a day have a few as a cleanup crew and that takes care of it for me.

 

[Opcn]

What do you mean by "I cured it for a week"

 

[RamJet]

Are you using RO water? What do you have for a clean up crew?

 

[Navarre]

If you have only added live rock an no corals yet then adding the light does nothing to the curing of the rock. Liverock will work just as well in total darkness as its filtration capabilties are no linked to the amount of light it gets.

If the liverock is "Uncured" then you will likely get an algae bloom as the algae wll feed off the excess nutrients in the tank.
Im afraid that as the tank is new you will not be able to wipe out algae overnight, its a natural part of the maturing process and takes up to 6 months to get under control.

This can be sped up by NOT using tap water (RO is the way to go) and adding cleanup crew. the nrmal amount of cleanup crew needed to tackle algae is 1 cleanup crew per gallon... so 125 gallons needds 125/hermit/snails

 

[fOnCo]

When I said cured it I meant I placed in a tank before my established tank to let any die off occur. No I have not added any corals and the amount of rock was 45lbs. Thanx for the advice I will be getting a clean up crew!

 

[Opcn]

well, give it some time, it takews a month the cycle LR, its best not to expose it to high light during this time.