LR, plants, and lights

[NightSpirit]

I have heard, while cycling a new tank with LR,
to leave the lights off to control ammonia/algae.

However, some of the LR I got has plants and other
photosynthetic stuff on it, and I'd rather it not die.

Will it be o.k. to leave the lights off for a month,
or should I leave them on so the plants don't die?

Thanks!

PS, how do you glue LR together? What glue do you use,
and where do you get it? How long do you let the
rock dry for before you put it back into the tank?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I really do appreciate the
advice I get from this website, and it seems the slightest thing
wrong in this hobby means disaster.

 

[reefrunner69]

I have heard, while cycling a new tank with LR,
to leave the lights off to control ammonia/algae.

Lighting will not control ammonia, but if you leave the lights off until you it's cured, you will reduce the amount of pest algae you experience.

However, some of the LR I got has plants and other
photosynthetic stuff on it, and I'd rather it not die.

Will it be o.k. to leave the lights off for a month,
or should I leave them on so the plants don't die?

You can turn the lights on for a few hours per day, that should maintain any light needing corals for the amount of time it takes to cure the rock. Expect a month to 6 weeks, but following the method outlined in the articles section of the site...it's never taken me more than a couple of weeks to cure LR.

PS, how do you glue LR together? What glue do you use,
and where do you get it? How long do you let the
rock dry for before you put it back into the tank?

For rock I would use a reefsafe epoxy, I use Z-spar marine when I use epoxy, I don't epoxy/glue rock together, but I would immediately put it in the tank. once you apply the epoxy.