Maturation times & processes

[Ice]

I was reading a book called "The Complete Book of the Marine Aquarium" by Vincent B. Hargreaves and came across something really interesting regarding cycling the tank with LR/LS. it's found on page 42. It talks about how one can cycle the tank using lighting, gradual & measurable build-up of nititrite in aquarium water during the first 7 - 10 days. Although it states it is both natural and a good indication that the filter system to startin gto work effectively. Anyways - what I read with aquarium lighting can be turned on during cycling using this timetable :

Days 1 to 4 : no lights
Day 5 : blue or actinic lights for 2 hours
Day 6 : blue or actinic lights for 4 hours
Day 7 : blue lights for 6 hours and main lights for 2 hours
Day 8 : blue lights for 8 hours and main lights for 4 hours
Day 9 : blue lights for 10 hours and main lights for 6 hours

On Day 10, the aquarium lighting can be increased to the full duration of 12 hours of blue lights and 8 hours of main lights. This way, a dawn and dusk period can be utilized with the blue or actinic lights being switched on before the main lights and off 2 hours after. The reason for this gradual increase in aquarium illumination is to prevent or least hinder excessive growth of unwanted/pest algae in the initial cycling stage. It also states it is important since you are tryin gto achieve a natural balance within the system, which may easily be upset if large amounts of algae is present.

If everything is functioning correctly, one can expect that somewhere between Day 10 & Day 14 a noticable drop of nitire levels - meaning the bacteria are starting to form & already doing their job in terms of denitrification. It doesn't mean you can go ahead and add fishes & inverst to the system. It does tell you this where many beginners and experienced aquarists make a mistake. You must be patient that the aquarium is by no means fully cycled or matured even if the nitrite level has dropped to zero. it merely means your filtration system if functioning biologically.

It also states adding fishes & inverst at this stage adds stress to the system that can cause unacceptable losses. This stage the aquarium is just startin gto establish an equilibrium but the growing bacterial colonies will only be able to cope with the organic waste that is already being produced and the system requires more maturation time before any livestock is added.

When your tank is finally fully cycled, stocking should be carried out with forethought and planning by adding a little at a time to allow the aquarium system to re-establish its equilibrium before adding any additional livestock.

I think this is a simple, yet wise choice to follow this timetable towards setting up and running you first saltwater tank; especially for a beginner. Patience is key.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I am looking to buy this book myself because it covers everything from the science of saltwater to choosing marine fishes, corals, & inverts.

[leveldrummer]

thats interesting, seems like a pretty good plan that most people follow, not sure about the light, but alot just leave the lights off for cycling. no point looking into an empty tank for a month

[CollegeReefer]

I must say that i enjoyed looking at my empty tank for a month. There was so much going on and something new to discover everyday. I started with a shorter light cycle though and slowly progressed to a full light cycle. I did this to keep algae down, which was never a problem for me.