Light Schedule Question

kissman · 04/01/2013, 05:33 AM

Is there a best schedule to start out with? I have a 6 bulb T5 fixture should i run all six bulbs for 6 hours, 8, 4? Nothing is in tank yet. Going to run 2 bulbs for 1 hour on each end. I will have SPS eventually

billdogg · 04/01/2013, 06:31 AM

I have always just set my timer to 12 on, 12 off. I figure that because most of the creatures we keep come from relatively near the equator that is about as close to what they are used to as I can get without some really (overly) complicated setup.

thegrun · 04/01/2013, 10:24 AM

actinics 12 hours
2 daylight bulbs 8 hours
2 daylight bulbs 4 hours

username in use · 04/01/2013, 10:55 AM

If nothing is in the tank, no need to really run them at all yet.

kissman · 04/01/2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username in use

If nothing is in the tank, no need to really run them at all yet.

not running them yet, but I will once the cycle is over. Trying to see what the best way to start them up is.

Before I tore the tank down and restarted I ran 2 Blue+ from 12pm-9pm and ran 4 Blue+, 1 Coral+, and 1 Purple + from 1pm-8pm

username in use · 04/01/2013, 11:18 AM

9 hours total is fine. Anywhere from 8-14 is really ok. I tend to set them up so that my average bed time coincides with the sunset of the tank.

04/01/2013, 05:33 AM	#1
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	Light Schedule Question Is there a best schedule to start out with? I have a 6 bulb T5 fixture should i run all six bulbs for 6 hours, 8, 4? Nothing is in tank yet. Going to run 2 bulbs for 1 hour on each end. I will have SPS eventually

04/01/2013, 06:31 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I have always just set my timer to 12 on, 12 off. I figure that because most of the creatures we keep come from relatively near the equator that is about as close to what they are used to as I can get without some really (overly) complicated setup. __________________ 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

04/01/2013, 10:55 AM	#4
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	If nothing is in the tank, no need to really run them at all yet. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

04/01/2013, 11:18 AM	#6
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	9 hours total is fine. Anywhere from 8-14 is really ok. I tend to set them up so that my average bed time coincides with the sunset of the tank. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

04/01/2013, 10:24 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	actinics 12 hours 2 daylight bulbs 8 hours 2 daylight bulbs 4 hours