how long to keep on lights? which output???

0000 · 12/13/2011, 08:59 PM

I have a 36 gallon, lots of live rock, alot of soft begginer corals like polyps, mushrooms, leather coral, kenya tree, etc.

I am using a marineland LED reef Light. (24" - 36" model) actual lamp is 23" long tank is 30" long
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=23687

I am very confused as to how long I need to keep the lights on and which color?

Is it fine If I keep the daylights on from 2 PM- 9 PM and them from 9:30 pm- 10:30 PM i turn on the blue moon lights? everyday

please help

Dustin1300 · 12/13/2011, 10:33 PM

Your not ever going to have too much light from that fixture IMO. That LED fixture is not powerful by any means as they are only 1 watt LEDs and hoping you did not think that you could keep any stonies in that little of light as it will not be strong enough

ejdustin · 12/14/2011, 08:17 AM

I have my blue LEDs on for 10 to 12 hours a day and my whites on for about 4 but then again I'm using different lighting. I would play with the timing and see what works for your corals. Try having them on longer and if things start to bleach then turn them back.

Bens_Reef · 12/14/2011, 08:38 AM

i run my whites about 12 hours and my blues for about 13.5.

you should run the blues at the same time as the whites, as far as the amount of time, they both should be run at least 8-12 hours a day on timers. the actual light cycle is important for growth, the longer your lights are on the more your corals will grow(they do need rest time too, no more than 12 on). you also have to make sure you are not bleaching your corals in too much light. with only one of those fixtures you shouldnt be in any trouble of doing that. i would recommend at least one more of those fixtures, that will put you at 54 watts, which is still a little low for SPS but your softies would be much happier.

12/13/2011, 08:59 PM	#1
0000 Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cleveland Posts: 203	how long to keep on lights? which output??? I have a 36 gallon, lots of live rock, alot of soft begginer corals like polyps, mushrooms, leather coral, kenya tree, etc. I am using a marineland LED reef Light. (24" - 36" model) actual lamp is 23" long tank is 30" long http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=23687 I am very confused as to how long I need to keep the lights on and which color? Is it fine If I keep the daylights on from 2 PM- 9 PM and them from 9:30 pm- 10:30 PM i turn on the blue moon lights? everyday please help

12/13/2011, 10:33 PM	#2
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Your not ever going to have too much light from that fixture IMO. That LED fixture is not powerful by any means as they are only 1 watt LEDs and hoping you did not think that you could keep any stonies in that little of light as it will not be strong enough __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

12/14/2011, 08:38 AM	#4
Bens_Reef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 324	i run my whites about 12 hours and my blues for about 13.5. you should run the blues at the same time as the whites, as far as the amount of time, they both should be run at least 8-12 hours a day on timers. the actual light cycle is important for growth, the longer your lights are on the more your corals will grow(they do need rest time too, no more than 12 on). you also have to make sure you are not bleaching your corals in too much light. with only one of those fixtures you shouldnt be in any trouble of doing that. i would recommend at least one more of those fixtures, that will put you at 54 watts, which is still a little low for SPS but your softies would be much happier. __________________ Briareum sp., Zoanthus sp., Caulastrea furcata, Protopalythoa sp., Capnella sp., Galaxea spp., Anthelia sp., Euphyllia paranchora 6-Line Wrasse Current Tank Info: 40g Reef/20g Sump/Fuge, 80# LR and 120 Watt LED 460nm 14k PH-8.3, NO3-10-15, PO4-0, dKH-7, Ca-500, Mg-1440, SG-1.026, 77.2-78.2 F

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12/14/2011, 08:17 AM	#3
ejdustin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Buffalo Posts: 141	I have my blue LEDs on for 10 to 12 hours a day and my whites on for about 4 but then again I'm using different lighting. I would play with the timing and see what works for your corals. Try having them on longer and if things start to bleach then turn them back.