Cycling a new tank

[musclebenz]

I just picked up an IM 40 gal tank, do I need a light on the tank while it's going through its cycle?

 

[Coral reefer]

No

 

[Klatzy]

It's better to leave the coral lights off for a while. Turn them on too early and it'll foster algae growth. The first time I cycled a tank (10 gallon nano) I turned the lights on after a month, hair algae/cyano/etc followed pretty soon afterwards. The second time (24 gallon) I waited at least four months (starting with live sand, rock from the 10 gallon, and dry "live" rock) before turning on the lights. The ugly phase did come but it was much briefer (about 2 weeks of algae and cyano bloom before it mostly went away).
The more patient you can be the shorter the ugly phase.

 

[derek_SR]

Or just add a bottle of turbostart and put corals and a fish or two in after 2-3 days, then you can turn lights on. Corals will manage the ammonia and nutrients and turbostart is shown to seed a population of nitrifying bacteria in about 24-48 hours.

Waiting months to cycle is crazy IMO and old, outdated thinking. I also realize this is an inflammatory topic and people hold strong opinions on this.

 

[rdriggett]

Turbo start overdosed by 5x + starter corals will manage the cycle. You can get aquabiomics sand or rubble to add diversity.