Is this light schedule enough??

serion · 08/15/2012, 07:18 PM

Will this light schedule be enough light for my tank? Lights are 4x T5 HO 216W. 50G FOWLR w/ 20L sump.

10:30am Actinic lights come on

11:00am 10k lights come on

8:00pm 10K lights turn off

8:30pm Actinic lights turn off

8:30pm Moonlight LEDs come on

10:30pm Moonlight LEDs turn off

10:00pm Sump light turns on (100W equiv. 6500K CFL)

10:00am Sump light turns off

Are my lights on long enough or should adjust my lighting schedule?

thegrun · 08/15/2012, 07:24 PM

The optimum daylight duration is 7 hours for maximum coral growth, but there is no major problem with your 9 hour schedule. You could lengthen your actinic duration to 12 hours but again your 10 hour duration is fine. Moonlights are generally at your viewing discretion although if they are bright enough the corals directly underneath may not close up at night so a dark period is advised.

Canadian125 · 08/15/2012, 07:42 PM

What would be the benefit to running a longer actinic schedule?

Reefmedic79 · 08/15/2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian125

What would be the benefit to running a longer actinic schedule?

Don't think it's so much as a benefit for the corals as it allows longer viewing hours.

Ron Reefman · 08/16/2012, 05:04 AM

There isn't a fixed time like 7 hours is the best. It depends on what kind of lights you have (PC, t5, MH or led), how far off the water the lights are, how deep the tank is, where the corals are in that vertical plane and how clean your water is. The best thing to do is find somebody with a PAR meter and then you will know just how much good light is getting to each depth. Your schedule seems like a reasonable place to start.

WillM · 08/16/2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

The optimum daylight duration is 7 hours for maximum coral growth, but there is no major problem with your 9 hour schedule. You could lengthen your actinic duration to 12 hours but again your 10 hour duration is fine. Moonlights are generally at your viewing discretion although if they are bright enough the corals directly underneath may not close up at night so a dark period is advised.

Just curious what your source is on the 7 hour daylight period? Not doubting, just would like to read up more on it. I am running mine for 8, but was acclimating the corals to more light with aims to get it up to 10. Thanks!

08/15/2012, 07:18 PM	#1
serion Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 45	Is this light schedule enough?? Will this light schedule be enough light for my tank? Lights are 4x T5 HO 216W. 50G FOWLR w/ 20L sump. 10:30am Actinic lights come on 11:00am 10k lights come on 8:00pm 10K lights turn off 8:30pm Actinic lights turn off 8:30pm Moonlight LEDs come on 10:30pm Moonlight LEDs turn off 10:00pm Sump light turns on (100W equiv. 6500K CFL) 10:00am Sump light turns off Are my lights on long enough or should adjust my lighting schedule? __________________ 55g FOWLR w/ 20L sump

08/15/2012, 07:42 PM	#3
Canadian125 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 82	What would be the benefit to running a longer actinic schedule? __________________ ~ 125G 6' drilled Tank ~ 37G Mantis Tank ~ 140 Lbs live rock ~ Aqueon Proflex 3 Sump ~ ML 300 Skimmer ~ 3 ML 775GPH pumps ~ 2 hydor 1400GPH Wave pumps ~ Current Tank Info: 18" by 72" 125 Gallon

08/16/2012, 05:04 AM	#5
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	There isn't a fixed time like 7 hours is the best. It depends on what kind of lights you have (PC, t5, MH or led), how far off the water the lights are, how deep the tank is, where the corals are in that vertical plane and how clean your water is. The best thing to do is find somebody with a PAR meter and then you will know just how much good light is getting to each depth. Your schedule seems like a reasonable place to start. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/15/2012, 07:24 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The optimum daylight duration is 7 hours for maximum coral growth, but there is no major problem with your 9 hour schedule. You could lengthen your actinic duration to 12 hours but again your 10 hour duration is fine. Moonlights are generally at your viewing discretion although if they are bright enough the corals directly underneath may not close up at night so a dark period is advised.