Lighting during or after cycle?

My tank is on its 10th day of its cycle and I have just received my lighting fixture. Do I start a light cycle now or do I wait until my tank completes the nitrogen cycle?

 

Personally i say on. You probably have LR, that parts will need lights to stay alive. Also you prob wanna start growing some life for your upcoming inhabitants, which will require light. Plus you probably wanna get your tank as in tune as possible before adding $$$$$$$$$$$$$ into your glass $$$$$$$$ bermuda triangle!

 

I always leave mine off. Minimizes the typical algae blooms during the cycle. Nothing in your tank needs the light yet.

 

+1 I would keep them off.

 

Its always a back and forth debate. Keeping them off does help with algae blooms, but many people have them on and they are fine.

It's more of personal preference. If you want to see your tank start the light cycle now, otherwise keep them off.

 

iv always cycled my tanks with lights on

 

I have always run my lights to promote algae growth to keep the nitrates down. It dies off after the cycle is complete.

 

Keep testing your water during this period. Nitrite is poisonous to bacteria above 10ppm and ammonia above 5ppm if I remember right. If your values get above this you want to do a water change to get them back below these thresholds so you do not slow down your cycle.