Lighting question

Mark9 · 09/30/2013, 01:34 PM

So, I bought this light
Coralife Lunar Aqualight HO T5
and this timer
Coralife Power Center Dual
for my 29G.

I followed the instructions exactly in the timer manual for setting the lights.
Day-shift 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Nighttime timer 8:00 pm - 8:00 am
Actinic cycle 8:00 am-8:00 pm

Are the LED's supposed to run all night?
I don't get any time where it's completely dark.
Is it supposed to be?
Anyone with experience have a better light cycle?

MARINECRITTERS · 09/30/2013, 01:38 PM

I never run the moonlights during the night, it is good to give your aquarium complete darkness.

basmith · 09/30/2013, 01:51 PM

I leave my moon lights on for about two hours after the actinics shut off otherwise at least in my tank some of the corals never close and the night feeders never come out.

NHATRANG · 09/30/2013, 02:01 PM

I have 4 bulbs T5 fixture. This is how I set:
2 bulbs come on at 1pm
2 more come on at 2pm
First two bulbs shut off at 8pm
Second 2 shut off at 9pm
Moon light comes on just before 9PM and off around 11pm
Some invertebrates need darkness to venture out in search of food, your corals and fish also benefit as well.

09/30/2013, 01:34 PM	#1
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	Lighting question So, I bought this light Coralife Lunar Aqualight HO T5 and this timer Coralife Power Center Dual for my 29G. I followed the instructions exactly in the timer manual for setting the lights. Day-shift 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Nighttime timer 8:00 pm - 8:00 am Actinic cycle 8:00 am-8:00 pm Are the LED's supposed to run all night? I don't get any time where it's completely dark. Is it supposed to be? Anyone with experience have a better light cycle?

09/30/2013, 01:38 PM	#2
MARINECRITTERS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,525	I never run the moonlights during the night, it is good to give your aquarium complete darkness. __________________ MarineCritters, life in the sea is superb Current Tank Info: 91 Gallon Reef

09/30/2013, 01:51 PM	#3
basmith Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 76	I leave my moon lights on for about two hours after the actinics shut off otherwise at least in my tank some of the corals never close and the night feeders never come out.

09/30/2013, 02:01 PM	#4
NHATRANG Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Milford Posts: 109	I have 4 bulbs T5 fixture. This is how I set: 2 bulbs come on at 1pm 2 more come on at 2pm First two bulbs shut off at 8pm Second 2 shut off at 9pm Moon light comes on just before 9PM and off around 11pm Some invertebrates need darkness to venture out in search of food, your corals and fish also benefit as well.