Reducing Lighting Cycle- How Quickly?

Tigé21v · 06/21/2009, 07:52 AM

Currently have 2x110 VHO 10,000k running for twelve hours, 2x250 20,000k MH running for ten hours. I want to cut back on the time the MH are on to see if it may be the cause of the acros' decline. Can I do it all at once or should I do it gradually?

qfrisco · 06/21/2009, 08:20 AM

You should be able to cut back all at once, it's increasing the photoperiod that you need to be careful with. The corals will just think it's a cloudy period over the reef.

How much do you want to reduce it by? I do think that 10 hours is a long photoperiod, and you should be able to make do with a 6-7 hour MH photoperiod. Many folks have had great results with brighter coloration and growth when reducing their photoperiod.

Tigé21v · 06/21/2009, 08:42 AM

Was going go down to 8, but been wondering if I should do more.

qfrisco · 06/21/2009, 08:50 AM

Check out this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/pr...5&pagenumber=1

I think you can do even less than 8.

Tigé21v · 06/21/2009, 08:56 AM

Awesome! Thanks!! Definitely going to give it a try, just backed them down to seven hours.

06/21/2009, 07:52 AM	#1
Tigé21v Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Charles, Mo. Posts: 1,369	Reducing Lighting Cycle- How Quickly? Currently have 2x110 VHO 10,000k running for twelve hours, 2x250 20,000k MH running for ten hours. I want to cut back on the time the MH are on to see if it may be the cause of the acros' decline. Can I do it all at once or should I do it gradually?

06/21/2009, 08:20 AM	#2
qfrisco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Area Posts: 1,389	You should be able to cut back all at once, it's increasing the photoperiod that you need to be careful with. The corals will just think it's a cloudy period over the reef. How much do you want to reduce it by? I do think that 10 hours is a long photoperiod, and you should be able to make do with a 6-7 hour MH photoperiod. Many folks have had great results with brighter coloration and growth when reducing their photoperiod.

06/21/2009, 08:42 AM	#3
Tigé21v Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Charles, Mo. Posts: 1,369	Was going go down to 8, but been wondering if I should do more.

06/21/2009, 08:50 AM	#4
qfrisco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Area Posts: 1,389	Check out this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/pr...5&pagenumber=1 I think you can do even less than 8.

06/21/2009, 08:56 AM	#5
Tigé21v Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Charles, Mo. Posts: 1,369	Awesome! Thanks!! Definitely going to give it a try, just backed them down to seven hours.