How much light is nessesary

[sean57]

I am battleing diotom algea cyano bloom, against better judgment using an algeacide
Made by API. My question is how long do I have to leave lights on for my corals? Is six to eight hours enough? Mostly star polyups and xanthia? Did I spell that right?
Anyway wondering about water changes and lighting some say no water change some say more water changes. Any help would be great! Thanks AA members

 

[pat8you]

you can cut your lights down to 6-8 hours and your coral will be fine. If your tank is still fairly new cyano and diatom blooms are pretty common. Just seems to be part of the process of a new tank becoming mature and handeling the bioload you are putting on it. If you are using an algeacide follow the directions on the box. Many of them will say to wait until it has been able to kill the algae and then do several water changes after.