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Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:03 Mar 2020 23:20
by ccaulfield
Aloha kakou!

I live in Honolulu and am working on setting up my first opae ula tank.

Just found out that the 7w LED light I ordered for my tank was delayed for a month.

I want to start prepping my tank sooner than that, but the only other light I have is a 3.5W desk lamp and is much shorter than the 7W light I custom-ordered for my tank.

Do you think I could cycle the tank for two weeks with the short 3.5W and then once my final light arrives switch them out? Would this affect how/where the algae forms? I would wait at least two weeks once the 7W arrives before adding opae.

Mahalo for all the information on this forum! It’s an amazing community and I can’t wait to learn more.

-CC

Re: Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:03 Mar 2020 23:32
by opae ula related
no issues that I can see. Show us your tank when you get the chance. Where are you purchasing them from?

Re: Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:03 Mar 2020 23:46
by ccaulfield
Thanks!

I plan on buying them from Brad at Oh My Opae (https://www.ohmyopae.com/). He lives not too far from my house so he said I could just pick them up to avoid the delivery fee.

That's my plan at least! If anyone else has experience buying opae/ snails on Oahu I'd love to hear how it went!

Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:04 Mar 2020 02:49
by opae ula related
ccaulfield wrote:Thanks!

I plan on buying them from Brad at Oh My Opae (https://www.ohmyopae.com/). He lives not too far from my house so he said I could just pick them up to avoid the delivery fee.

That's my plan at least! If anyone else has experience buying opae/ snails on Oahu I'd love to hear how it went!
No minimum when you pick up. He has lohena for $5 if he has them Image He gets his shrimp from the big island, fyi, so they are not from Oahu.

Re: Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:04 Mar 2020 23:33
by ccaulfield
Small world!

I read somewhere (this forum maybe? somewhere else? don't remember) that opae from Oahu tend to be lighter while Big Island shrimps are brighter red. Which would be great bc I'm doing an entirely black tank scape so hopefully the shrimps will really pop!

Re: Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:04 Mar 2020 23:44
by opae ula related
ccaulfield wrote:Small world!

I read somewhere (this forum maybe? somewhere else? don't remember) that opae from Oahu tend to be lighter while Big Island shrimps are brighter red. Which would be great bc I'm doing an entirely black tank scape so hopefully the shrimps will really pop!
Yes per the book”Hawaiian Anchialine Pools” book they state that.

Yes, since you buying in person, you can probably choose Image.

Re: Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:05 Mar 2020 05:53
by ccaulfield
Awesome! ~dance~

Re: Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:05 Mar 2020 05:59
by odin
Welcome to the forum! What sort of rocks are you planning on using? Can’t wait to see some pictures. :sidesmile:

Re: Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:05 Mar 2020 06:06
by ccaulfield
Thanks so much, Odin!

Planning to using black lava rock. Wanna glue some together to make a tall structure and make use of the vertical space in my 2.5 gallon (9.5 liter) jar!

Re: Can I switch out the light during tank cycling/set up?

PostPosted:16 Aug 2020 15:48
by odin
Any updates?