Do Live Rock Need Anything?

[fishy55599]

just wondering if LR requires anything speacial?
should the lights be on a few hours a day without any livestock?

 

[lewiss]

It doesn't really require anything special. Just try to keep it in the natural environment. So yes the lights on would probably be beneficial to the rock because the creatures on the rock (hitchhikers) will be able to get into a routine and not die of stress.
Plus it'll help with the cycle as PH is raised by light.

Hope that answered your questions! Sorry - was typed in haste as I'm on the train going out for Easter lunch!

 

[fishy55599]

ok, what kind of rountine? how many hours a day?
when i am back at school, shuld lights go on before school, or after?

ye that did answer it, have a good lunch

 

[woody88]

Not really sure wether lr does require lighting but it would certainly help with coraline algae growth. Even if you have the lights on for say, 6 hours a day that would only benefit the lr.

If there's no livestock then you would need to drop a prawn or 2 in to decompose so the bacteria on the lr can feed off the waste it produces.

 

[fishy55599]

Not really sure wether lr does require lighting but it would certainly help with coraline algae growth. Even if you have the lights on for say, 6 hours a day that would only benefit the lr.

If there's no livestock then you would need to drop a prawn or 2 in to decompose so the bacteria on the lr can feed off the waste it produces.

how much does livestock need lighting. After school it would be about 6 hours a day.
i thought this was done when you have all thr live rock, i only have 2.8kg?

 

[woody88]

Any amount of LR would benefit from lighting, it's mainly the coraline algae that would benefit. Wether it's 2.8kg or 280kg it doesnt matter.

The only time you will defo need lighting is if you decide to keep coral.

As for FO or FOWLR, lighting is really for viewing purposes so it's up to you how long you decide to leave them on for.

My lights are on for around 12 hrs per day with moonlights on the rest but I have coral so they need to be on for a good period.

You could put the lights on a timer do they could come on about 11 and go off at 7 but that just my opinion.

Hope this helps!

 

[fishy55599]

ill add prawns to my shopping list!
ok, so 6 hours a day wont matter if it is only fish and rock. but does matter with coral?

maybe the prawn will help me find some more hitchhikers aswell

 

[woody88]

Coral needs long periods of good lighting.

FO/FOWLR doesnt. 6hrs would be ample IMO. Say 10-4 or 12-6 or longer if you prefer.

It's personal preference tbh.

 

[fishy55599]

You could put the lights on a timer do they could come on about 11 and go off at 7 but that just my opinion.

Hope this helps!

how would you put em on a timer

well it would be mor about 3:45 (when i get home) till about 10:00

 

[woody88]

A plug in timer. You plug the appliance into the timer and the timer into a socket/extension lead.

Like I said lighting period is personal pref so you could put them on when you get home and turn them off when you go bye bye's! Lol

More lighting the better coraline algae (purple/pink mass) will grow.

 

[fishy55599]

timer something like this?
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Reptile-Timer-Switch-Tortoise-Vivarium-Snakes-lights-uv-/160556655947?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item2561ec254b

 

[woody88]

timer something like this?
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Reptile-Timer-Switch-Tortoise-Vivarium-Snakes-lights-uv-/160556655947?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item2561ec254b

Yep! Argos, homebase, ikea do them cheaper I think.

If your not gonna turn the lights on or off until your at home then you prob won't need a timer. I only suggested it in case you wanted them to turn on/off while you was out.

 

[fishy55599]

ill probally get one when i do corals so corals get enough lighting

 

[demasonisrule]

I disagree...I think you'd benefit with no lighting, just flow on your rock, until you start adding other livestock, because copepods, amphipods, and other zooplankton and organisms prefer less light, so without light on your rock, your plankton and bacteria levels will grow faster, and thus your tank will be more stable and overall better off, JMO.

And on the timers, you may want to get one anyways, just incase you forget to turn it on/off one day.

 

[woody88]

Good point! But you can always add a pod culture at any time plus once live stock and coral is in there it will decimate it and will need topping up anyway which is where live pod and rotifer bottles come in which can be bought anywhere.
Especially if you go and get a Mandarin Dragonet!

Although I like I said earlier, You don't actually need lighting. It's mainly for viewing pleasure, but it will help any inhabitants on the rock plus help with coraline algae growth!

Once you get a decent amount of live rock then, like suggested above, it would help house the pod populations and shelter them from fish and corals!

I guess there are pros and cons for both having the lights on or off but tbh it wont do any harm either way so it's your call really mate!