live rock lighting

[Riley]

How much light will I need for live rock?

 

[Eelzor]

Live rock doesn't require any true lighting and a flurecent light or basic marine light will do. However some live rock can come with small organisms that need light to survive (unsure on that though-someone might be able to expand on that). Although I haven't ever seen any live rock that has a neccesity of high spectrum light. In short, it's not required, but will be fine with it as well. At least a basic light for live rock is recommended. I just use a flurecent lamp light and it does well.

 

[Riley]

okay good thanks. I have two fluoresent light strips on my tank at the time.

Riley

 

[superman]

live rock only needs light if it has corals or light needing invertebrates on it (anemones or clams). It is actually recommended that if you are initially setting up a tank and getting it to cycle that you would do it without light, this helps with keeping the tank from getting a HUGE algae bloom.

 

[Riley]

yeah for now I am jsut going with the live rock..maybe later when I have the money I will buy better lighting to get corals and stuff

 

[jimdogg187]

If you want coraline algae to grow on your new rock, you will want at least PC lighting. Of course, that is if you want coraline algae. Jim

 

[steelhealr]

Hi..LR DOES need lighting if you are going to support coralline algae growth and any hitchhiking corals if you are adding LR to start your tank. Most recommend cycling with only 1-2 hours per day initially and increasing it over 1-2 weeks as your LR cycles. This minimizes overgrowth of algae. Good luck.SH

 

[Riley]

okay thanks