question on live rock

[reefs4life]

I was wondering if light had any effect on the way live rock helps out the tank. I'm asking this because I just got a HOB fuge and I had some LR in my sump with light on it but only because I had some mangroves in there. Now my light isn't on all the time in the sump so I was wondering if things will change if I leave it off

 

[marki24]

I believe it makes a difference. If you keep the light on your live rock it will benefit the live rock. Live rock has different types of organism livin on it and if there is insufficient or no light then it dies causing your live rock to become dead rock. Then again get another opinion I cant even keep xenia alive :lol2:

 

[hediki12]

to my knowledge all the natural microscopic organisms will die from lack of light causing your live rock to become "dead rock" but then again get another opinion i cant even keep xenia :lol3"

i don't think the bacteria on the LR is photosynthetic there for, no light is needed for the bacteria on the rock rock to grow. I've herd of people cycling with out light and in dark room with limited light, but I'm not a 100% sure about pitch black... hope i helped.

 

[hediki12]

yea i do believe light would benefit it but i doubt it would hinder any growth of bacteria on it.

 

[Killerdrgn]

there are different types of things that grow on live rock, photsynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms. Bacteria is a non-photosynthetic organism, so with or without light your live rock will convert ammonia eventually to nitrate. In lighted conditions things like coraline algae will thrive. In unlit conditions things like sponges will thrive. if you have coraline you will have much less in the way of interesting sponges.

In my 90 tank I have both lighted rocks and unlighted rocks for both type of organisms.

 

[reefs4life]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. and don't worry marki, I can't keep xenia either but everything else is perfect, i just dont get it. I posted on your thread and completely agreed with you. Thanks again