New Tank, Live Kupang Island Rock Pics and Questions

Hello all,

Put the new Red Sea 250 up 2 weeks ago with 60lbs of Kupang Island Live Rock and sand. Some of the rock already has some beautiful pinkish/purple coraline from my local place of purchase. I have not read much on initial lighting except I have been told from a local fish store to only run the lights an hour a day for the first month of break in to avoid any unnecessary algae growth. Trying to find out from the experienced here as I have NOT read much in text on this subject matter and I have read an awful amount of literature on live rock and the benefits. Just not much data on beginning light requirments for this live rock and new break-ins. Presently all that is in the tank is the live rock and a few Chromis.

Presently ammonia and Nitrates are on their downward range from their large spike and the tank is still looking pristine. I use Bio Spira Catalina Salt Water, and RO for evap. PH at 8.2, Sal at 1.023 and temp at a constant 78deg F with a Oceanic 1/4hp chiller. Just curious what lighting duration I should be considering at the initial break-in since no corals or anemones are present and will not be until the tank is COMPLETELY stabilized. The factory lighting that came with the unit is a total of 234 watts, 3bulbs at 10K and 3 at atinic blue. Which should be very good for the coral and anemones once they get added. Thanks all.

 

That is some great looking rock you have there. By the looks of it is almost completely cured. I would run the lights for 8 to 12 hours a day. I see the unwanted algea blooms as a part of a tanks start up and just a part of setting up a new aquarium.

 

True....

And that is beautiful rock.. ALOT of space for corals, later on..

Good Luck, Larry

 

I ran planted tanks for years and of course the lighting was needed immediately. I was just thinking if I could avoid a possible Algae spike to begin by not running long light durations to begin with and let the tank cycle? Thoughts?

 

I would raise the sg up to 1.025, from the 1.023, personally before adding any inverts.

Other than that, it looks great.

As long as you have a skimmer on the tank, and if you can set up a refugium, you should not have any issues with algae.