Daisy82 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Well, I've asked two different people and I've gotten two very different answers. So..... what do you guys think? I have t5s (2 18k, 2 actinic) on my 65 gal. Livestock = mushrooms, a leather, a pagoda, and some assorted polyps. Also a few fish and shrimp. How long should the lights be left on? Should the actinics come on first? I would appreciate any suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddybluewater Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 (edited) I run my tank 12 on and 12 off. My fuge is 24 on. Chaeto likes 16-18 hours of light but I am getting good results with it always on. I don't think you need to stagger the start times unless you are running MH with the T5s. Even then I don't know how necessary it really is. I can see my corals start to close up about Min before my light goes off every night, I think they will adjust either way. Edited August 24, 2009 by muddybluewater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I think 12 on 12 off is the standard. It's what I use. I have seen several reefs do 1 hour actinic, 10 hours all lights, then 1 hour actinics to kind of get a sunrise - sunset feel and save some money on electricity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 +2 to 12hrs. I also use the actinic(or what's close in my tank) as sunrise/set lamps. I generally don't turn any light on unitl 9-11am. I have a large window,~8ft from my tank, that faces southeasterly and I use the natural sunlight to wake everyone up. My wife likes to turn everything on first thing after she gets up, usually around 8-9, but I'm not home those days so I can't control it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I only run a 10 hour day. About 10 hours of 200w of PC actinics, and 7 hours of 700w 14k metal halide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I'm very frugal with electricity. I run my tank lights 5 hours a day. Coral can't consume that much light anyway. I give them what they need and not a penny more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedelgado Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I give 5 hrs of halide and 12 hrs of actinic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 About 10 hours here ... from Noon to 10pm. My fuge lights runs opposite the main lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Funny this. Before going to bed last night I hit the light section of Calfo's Coral Prop. Book. He states that 8-10 hours is optimal but he also prefers lower light than I think most of us use. He recommends halides but at 3x 150W for 24" tanks. Mind you he is also a huge proponent of just using natural light so go figure. He also recommends 6500K color which I thought was interesting. CRMike, I thought you had solar lights for your setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Daniel Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I just changed my photoperiod: Main Tank: Moon Lights: 8a-11a, 11p-2a MH (2x250w): 11a-3p, 5p-8p (7 hours total; staggered to help control the heat a little) VHO: 3p-11p (currently 4x110w VHO, but switching to 2x54w T5) Fuge: 7p-noon Grow-out: MH (1x175w): 10p-6a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddybluewater Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Seems strange how everyone is a little different but it must work for each of us or we would not do it. Go figure. I think the best answer to the original question is do what works for you. Try a few things for a while each (couple of months). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I'm very frugal with electricity. I run my tank lights 5 hours a day. Coral can't consume that much light anyway. I give them what they need and not a penny more. Couldn't have said it better. CRMike, I thought you had solar lights for your setup? Ah gotta keep up with the posts. I have natural light via solar tubes over my 400g tank. Metal halides over my 75g tank. Until I shell out $15K for Centex to level my foundation I cannot set up the big tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Eckreef Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 I have natural light via solar tubes over my 400g tank. Until I shell out $15K for Centex to level my foundation I cannot set up the big tank. 400g....not the BIG tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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