tank cycling question - does light inluence cycling times

[shrimphive]

has anyone figured out if light influences tank cycling times?

If so whats optimal lighting for speeding up cycling times?

[Squiggle]

I have never experienced this, the aerobic bacteria is not photo reliant :encouragement:

[jayc]

light doesn't influence the colonisation of beneficial bacteria. But if you have plants, then you will need light for the plants.

[BlueBolts]

Agree with above comments, BUT in terms of accelerating algae growth, and biofilm, I generally leave my lights on for 12 hours during the cycling period.

[shrimphive]

Agrerate of above comments' date=' BUT in terms of accelerating algae growth, and biofilm, I generally leave my lights on for 12 hours during the cycling period.[/quote']

I thought due to algae growth caused from light and wamth this would speed up cycling times?

So light will increase the rate biofilm takes to form?

[BlueBolts]

Not sure about the true / pure science, thus can't explain in technical terms. I do raise my temp 2-3 degrees, and do 12 hour lights during the cycling phase. I'm impatient and hate the length of the cycling period, so whatever accelerates this process, I'm all for it :-)

[d(^_^)b]

Lighting does not affect cycling time.

Instead, no light, warmth just < 30 deg and highly oxygenated tank with good water flow will decrease the cycling time. A used filter media would be best however, please get it from a reliable source as you would not know what "it might" come with.

N if there's too much ammonia, the cycling time will increase as that slows down the nitrifying bacteria from forming.

The high light is only good for plants and the advantage of having lots of plants is you can prevent an Ammonia spike.

[jayc]

N if there's too much ammonia' date=' the cycling time will increase as that slows down the nitrifying bacteria from forming.

[/quote']

Not sure if this is true. Ammonia is a food source for nitrifying bacteria. So how can more ammonia be something that will slow the cycle time (ie increase the time a tank cycles) ?

[d(^_^)b]

Maybe my mental block kicked in again and I should rephrase.

Putting it simply, if there's too much ammonia and not enough nitrifying bacteria to convert it, then the spike would continue. That would increase your cycling time.

[jayc]

I see what you are saying.

I read it as - too much ammonia will impede the start of nitrifying bacteria colonisation.

But what I think you are saying is - too much ammonia will take the nitrifying bacteria longer to completely process it into nitrites and nitrates. Thus increasing the time it takes to cycle the tank.

[Squiggle]

I have to agree with you jayc, was a bit confusing but also the apple analogy would need to be slightly modified as well,

A child is given ten apples.... as he starts eating them more children would come along & start eating the apples too, yes it would take longer to eat the apples but the speed in which they are consumed would grow exponentially as more children join in eating. :encouragement:

[d(^_^)b]

I m still having mental block... LOL

But yup. Too much ammonia will slow down the nitrifying bacteria from completely converting it to nitrite and to nitrate.