Lighting/Heating Opinions

jeffltodd · 08/21/2009, 01:42 PM

Ok, so I just replaced my PC's... no need to discuss how much better T5's or MH's are - the deed is done!

Anyway - Right now I have my lighting set as such:

Actinic - 2pm - 10pm
10K - 3pm - 9pm
Moonlights - 9:30pm - 5am

It gets direct sunlight in the early morning for a couple hours (6-8am) for one-third of the width of the aquarium that moves across from left to right.

I do not use a heater in the summer since the tank gets early morning sun through very hight sunlight windows in the room. The tank maintains a temperature of about 80 degrees.

In the winter time I use the heater to keep the temp up.

Just want to throw this out there to see if it makes sense. Livestock seems to be doing well. Algae is under control.

danikowa · 08/21/2009, 01:52 PM

What kind of temperature swings do you get? Between not having a heater and direct sunlight hitting the tank, it seems like you might be getting some pretty drastic swings between day and night temperatures. If you have corals, they might benefit from more consistancy...

It also seems a bit odd that the corals get natural sunlight for 2 hours then no light for 6 hours until your main lights turn on. This doesn't seem very natural, I wonder if this could affect your corals?

Otherwise, it is cool that you have natural sunlight on your tank each day I bet it makes the colors look great.

jeffltodd · 08/21/2009, 06:02 PM

To be honest, I don't know what kind of swings I get. I only have one of those "stick on" thermometers that acts more like a mood ring. When I check it, it seems to stay pretty constant.

I did have a heater in all year round, but then when the heater malfunctioned and kept heating, I noticed the temperature was over 88!

The corals have been fine with it... as long as I ensure that I am maintaining regularly - for example evaporation has to be continually looked at. I have considered moving it, but I dont' have the time to put all that effort into it. (I have moved the aquarium twice when moving - water and all).

As for the looks, since the sun hits the front of the tank, and not all at the same time, as I mentioned before it is the sun coming thru a very high window and only shows through the tank 1/3 at a time, it does not really improve the look. It is much better looking with the lights on. Even when the sun is shining on it, the fish and corals appear to be "sleeping". I think it is because the window is double-paned (1" thick) and coated to reduce UV rays and heat.

Flipper62 · 08/21/2009, 07:07 PM

I dont think the natural sunlight is going to help the tank. Its going the premote Algae, as well as raise the temp.

Its a little confussing the way you explained your lighting. Maybe it was just me.

It doesing mater what times you use for the light to be on. Just that they are on for around 7 to 9 hours at a time. If your trying to get a Sunrise / Sunset affect, Thats what I like, but the sunlight is going to mess that up. IMO, I would try to block that from the tank.

Here is my light times for my Office BioCube.

8:00 am attinics come on
8:30 am 50/50 attinic/10k come on
9:00 am full 10k come on

4:00 pm full 10k go off
4:30 pm 50/50 go off
5:00 pm attinics go off.

The moon lights are on all the time 24/7

08/21/2009, 01:42 PM	#1
jeffltodd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 290	Lighting/Heating Opinions Ok, so I just replaced my PC's... no need to discuss how much better T5's or MH's are - the deed is done! Anyway - Right now I have my lighting set as such: Actinic - 2pm - 10pm 10K - 3pm - 9pm Moonlights - 9:30pm - 5am It gets direct sunlight in the early morning for a couple hours (6-8am) for one-third of the width of the aquarium that moves across from left to right. I do not use a heater in the summer since the tank gets early morning sun through very hight sunlight windows in the room. The tank maintains a temperature of about 80 degrees. In the winter time I use the heater to keep the temp up. Just want to throw this out there to see if it makes sense. Livestock seems to be doing well. Algae is under control. __________________ Four perfect killers. One perfect crime. Now all they have to fear is each other. Current Tank Info: All-Glass 72g bow-front, Rio 2500 return; SeaClone 100 in sump; Jebao WP25 wave maker; Reef Breeders Photon48

08/21/2009, 06:02 PM	#3
jeffltodd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 290	To be honest, I don't know what kind of swings I get. I only have one of those "stick on" thermometers that acts more like a mood ring. When I check it, it seems to stay pretty constant. I did have a heater in all year round, but then when the heater malfunctioned and kept heating, I noticed the temperature was over 88! The corals have been fine with it... as long as I ensure that I am maintaining regularly - for example evaporation has to be continually looked at. I have considered moving it, but I dont' have the time to put all that effort into it. (I have moved the aquarium twice when moving - water and all). As for the looks, since the sun hits the front of the tank, and not all at the same time, as I mentioned before it is the sun coming thru a very high window and only shows through the tank 1/3 at a time, it does not really improve the look. It is much better looking with the lights on. Even when the sun is shining on it, the fish and corals appear to be "sleeping". I think it is because the window is double-paned (1" thick) and coated to reduce UV rays and heat. __________________ Four perfect killers. One perfect crime. Now all they have to fear is each other. Current Tank Info: All-Glass 72g bow-front, Rio 2500 return; SeaClone 100 in sump; Jebao WP25 wave maker; Reef Breeders Photon48

08/21/2009, 07:07 PM	#4
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	I dont think the natural sunlight is going to help the tank. Its going the premote Algae, as well as raise the temp. Its a little confussing the way you explained your lighting. Maybe it was just me. It doesing mater what times you use for the light to be on. Just that they are on for around 7 to 9 hours at a time. If your trying to get a Sunrise / Sunset affect, Thats what I like, but the sunlight is going to mess that up. IMO, I would try to block that from the tank. Here is my light times for my Office BioCube. 8:00 am attinics come on 8:30 am 50/50 attinic/10k come on 9:00 am full 10k come on 4:00 pm full 10k go off 4:30 pm 50/50 go off 5:00 pm attinics go off. The moon lights are on all the time 24/7 __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

08/21/2009, 01:52 PM	#2
danikowa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 50	What kind of temperature swings do you get? Between not having a heater and direct sunlight hitting the tank, it seems like you might be getting some pretty drastic swings between day and night temperatures. If you have corals, they might benefit from more consistancy... It also seems a bit odd that the corals get natural sunlight for 2 hours then no light for 6 hours until your main lights turn on. This doesn't seem very natural, I wonder if this could affect your corals? Otherwise, it is cool that you have natural sunlight on your tank each day I bet it makes the colors look great.