Cycling and algae growing

this is supposed to be some heavy stuff though.

 

bump for PharmrJohn or any other moderator who would know

 

Hi fsukem

Id like to help you
if you join in on someone elses thread, because you have a similar question/ problem in your tank. many people might miss your questions as they are focused on the thread starters questions

even if you have a similar situation in your tank, and the answers the thread starter is getting are not 100% the answers you need
you will be better asking your specific questions on your own new thread

this way it ensures the answers you want will come and be the right answers for you

your 2 questions

1 - you are better not to run carbon during a cycle, or a skimmer IMO as they remove things that you want bacteria to remove - the more waste there is the more bacteria will be created and thus the cycle is faster

2 - Algae - and I think the issue here is food for your crab with missing claws? will still grow under just actinics although not as quickly as it will under full lighting - but your crab will also eat bits of food the fish miss, so honestly dont worry about him

Steve