Lighting Time

Clownfishfan · 08/17/2021, 01:33 PM

Hello all!
I have had my tank setup for several years, the last few years have been kinda hands off because the last LFS nearby shut down and I had some other projects to work on. So, I maintained what I already had. I do not have many complaints, but one that I have recently paid attention and realized has been a problem for a while, is coraline bleaching.

The coraline in the corner of the tank by the over flow box, grows very quickly, thick, and dark purple. The coraline on the front glass also grows fairly fast but is white, the rocks have virtually no coraline.

My corals themselves have done alright, I have a mix of LPS, SPS, and softies. Not a coral heavy tank by any stretch tho.

It is a 125g tank, 3x 250w MH, 2x 80w T5 tubes (ATI blue plus, ATI purple plus).

MH run 12hrs, the T5 run for a few hours in the morning and in the evening.

I spoke to another local reefer who I just met and he said to checkout changing my lighting time. I may should cut back on halides and up the T5 hours.

Any help is appreciated

Member No. 1 · 08/17/2021, 02:15 PM

When I ran MH/T5 combo, I ran (2) 250w DE 14K Phoenix 8 hr/day and (2) Blue Plus and (2) True Actinic 10-11hrs/day. I had great luck.

This was on a 120g 48"x24"x24" SPS tank.

Clownfishfan · 09/14/2021, 07:26 PM

Much appreciated. I think I will target for 8-9hr on the halides.

billdogg · 09/17/2021, 08:08 AM

When I used T12 VHO, it was 12 on/12off. After I made the switch to LED. I have a ~2 hour ramp up and 1 hour ramp down, so just 9 hours at max.

Sever0n · 09/25/2021, 10:13 AM

is your tank glass or Acrylic?

08/17/2021, 01:33 PM	#1
Clownfishfan Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 256	Lighting Time Hello all! I have had my tank setup for several years, the last few years have been kinda hands off because the last LFS nearby shut down and I had some other projects to work on. So, I maintained what I already had. I do not have many complaints, but one that I have recently paid attention and realized has been a problem for a while, is coraline bleaching. The coraline in the corner of the tank by the over flow box, grows very quickly, thick, and dark purple. The coraline on the front glass also grows fairly fast but is white, the rocks have virtually no coraline. My corals themselves have done alright, I have a mix of LPS, SPS, and softies. Not a coral heavy tank by any stretch tho. It is a 125g tank, 3x 250w MH, 2x 80w T5 tubes (ATI blue plus, ATI purple plus). MH run 12hrs, the T5 run for a few hours in the morning and in the evening. I spoke to another local reefer who I just met and he said to checkout changing my lighting time. I may should cut back on halides and up the T5 hours. Any help is appreciated __________________ Tank Info- 125G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 125gal mixed reef

08/17/2021, 02:15 PM	#2
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	When I ran MH/T5 combo, I ran (2) 250w DE 14K Phoenix 8 hr/day and (2) Blue Plus and (2) True Actinic 10-11hrs/day. I had great luck. This was on a 120g 48"x24"x24" SPS tank. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

09/14/2021, 07:26 PM	#3
Clownfishfan Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 256	Much appreciated. I think I will target for 8-9hr on the halides. __________________ Tank Info- 125G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 125gal mixed reef

09/17/2021, 08:08 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	When I used T12 VHO, it was 12 on/12off. After I made the switch to LED. I have a ~2 hour ramp up and 1 hour ramp down, so just 9 hours at max. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

09/25/2021, 10:13 AM	#5
Sever0n Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Duluth Posts: 99	is your tank glass or Acrylic?