Recommended Time of Day to turn on your lights and turn off your lights?

AJimmy419 · 08/08/2010, 12:01 AM

Hello everyone. I'm new to the hobby and I have a 34 gallon Red Sea Max and plan on getting LPS and soft corals such as: candy cane, mushroom, brain, frogspawn, gsp, zoo, zoas, etc. I have the stock lights which are: 2 55w 50/50 10,000k & Actinic T5 Power compact lamps. I currently have my lights on for 8 hours and I turn them on at 4pm-12pm. Is that okay? How long would you recommend me leaving my lights on for? What time of day does everyone turn on their lights and turn off their lights? Thanks.

dc2mlbsm · 08/08/2010, 12:10 AM

I believe it is up to you when u want the tank lights to come on...I turn mine on from 1:00PM to 9:00PM which is 8 hours but I know people that do up to 12 hours of light a day

dots · 08/08/2010, 01:55 AM

It will vary based on your stock and how they are responding to your current conditions.

Starting at 8 hours is what most do and adjust as needed. It is best, as mentioned, to have the lights on when you are able to enjoy the tank.

If things are growing and thriving, that is your best way to tell....

AaronM · 08/08/2010, 03:24 AM

For me, during the week = 12:00pm-8:30pm and on weekends = 12-8:50.

Assuming you have/intend having fish...I think as well as taking into account when you can enjoy your tank, you should take into account how long your fish need to sleep. So if you put the lights on 3-11pm, bear in mind with natural ambient light, they'll be up from 6ish-11ish...17hr day. Most equatorial zones are 12hrs sun throughout the year... i think most reef areas are 12-14hrs sunlight depending on season...

AJimmy419 · 08/08/2010, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the help everyone

08/08/2010, 12:01 AM	#1
AJimmy419 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 105	Recommended Time of Day to turn on your lights and turn off your lights? Hello everyone. I'm new to the hobby and I have a 34 gallon Red Sea Max and plan on getting LPS and soft corals such as: candy cane, mushroom, brain, frogspawn, gsp, zoo, zoas, etc. I have the stock lights which are: 2 55w 50/50 10,000k & Actinic T5 Power compact lamps. I currently have my lights on for 8 hours and I turn them on at 4pm-12pm. Is that okay? How long would you recommend me leaving my lights on for? What time of day does everyone turn on their lights and turn off their lights? Thanks. __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Max: - Stock Lights: 2x 55w 50/50 10,000k & Actinic T5 Power compact lamps - Stock Skimmer: Want to get new one that is cheap and dependable. Recommendations?

08/08/2010, 01:55 AM	#3
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	It will vary based on your stock and how they are responding to your current conditions. Starting at 8 hours is what most do and adjust as needed. It is best, as mentioned, to have the lights on when you are able to enjoy the tank. If things are growing and thriving, that is your best way to tell.... __________________ ~Doug

08/08/2010, 08:06 AM	#5
AJimmy419 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 105	Thanks for the help everyone __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Max: - Stock Lights: 2x 55w 50/50 10,000k & Actinic T5 Power compact lamps - Stock Skimmer: Want to get new one that is cheap and dependable. Recommendations?

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08/08/2010, 12:10 AM	#2
dc2mlbsm Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 120	I believe it is up to you when u want the tank lights to come on...I turn mine on from 1:00PM to 9:00PM which is 8 hours but I know people that do up to 12 hours of light a day

08/08/2010, 03:24 AM	#4
AaronM Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 480	For me, during the week = 12:00pm-8:30pm and on weekends = 12-8:50. Assuming you have/intend having fish...I think as well as taking into account when you can enjoy your tank, you should take into account how long your fish need to sleep. So if you put the lights on 3-11pm, bear in mind with natural ambient light, they'll be up from 6ish-11ish...17hr day. Most equatorial zones are 12hrs sun throughout the year... i think most reef areas are 12-14hrs sunlight depending on season...