New Setup, Lighting and othr questions

[always learning]

I have a question about lighting. Is 50/50 lighting uv? and if not what is uv labeled as because I've never seen light labeled uv only uv sterilizers. and is it expensive?

[always learning]

I'm gonna be cycling with LR (cycling and curing at same time), read it's safe. but I probably don't need to add shrimp do I?

also what's lfs, and SG

Thanx,
always learning

[OrionGirl]

I split these out from the stickied thread, since they will get more attention as a separate thread instoed of buried within the previous topic. Not sure why it still shows the previous page count and originator--my apologies!

UV lighting is not the same as 50/50. UV refers to a specific light spectrum. Many bulbs will provide a small amount of UV light. The 50/50 bulbs are 50% "normal" spectrum and 50% actinic light--not the same at all, and not for use in a UV sterilizer.

Cycling with uncured live rock does not require the addition of a shrimp, but I would treat it as fish cycling and do frequent water changes to prevent dramatic spikes. As wtih fish, many organisms on the live rock will be damaged by exposure to high levels of ammonia/nitrites.

LFS--Local Fish Store

SG - Specific Gravity