Lighting time on advice

[Wayne]

I have just picked up a 250w metal halide with 2 65w atinics. I also have 4 T5HO (24w each) 1 atinic, 1 coral growth (6500k?) and 2 10,000k.

So here is what I want to do: atinics come on at 5:45am so I can feed fish before work, T5 days come on at 8am, 250 halides come on at 3pm. Then at 7pm T5's and Metal halide turn off. 8:45pm atinics turn off.

So I will have 15hrs of atinics and 11hrs of day light. Any thoughts/advice would be awsome :)

[chris88]

It might be overkill. I would gradually work you way up to that much. I think its possible but i think you should play on the safe size. How deep is tank and what are you keeping for corals?

[The Grizz]

What chris88 said & asked and how high off the tank are the light's

[Wayne]

My tank is about 20" tall and the T5's are currently about 4-5" above that and the metal halides are 7-8" above. When I build the canopy this week all the lights positions will be reversed.

If you guys recommend having them higher I need to know tonight because tomarrow I start cutting :)

In my tank I have cabbage coral, pulsing xenia, frog spawn, mushrooms, candy cane coral, zoas, flower pots, kenya tree, GSP, toad stools. I also have a clam. All of the low light stuff is near bottom and off to the sides. All the higher light stuff is center and positioned higher.

[chris88]

i wouldnt move them higher unless they are in risk of being splashed by salt water. I just think you should build up to that long of a photoperiod. My only concern is the duration not the intensity. Can't you feed the fish when you get home and not have the actinics come on so early? I find the fish eat better later in the day anyways.

[Wayne]

I will gradually work the intensity up and I can certainly feed the fish in the evening. To reduce the duration what time should I move the atinics on to?

Also I should note that when its time for my next bulb change I am considering changing all the T5's to different daytime colors without atinics. I will still have 2 65w atinics.

[The Grizz]

here is how mine are, not saying it is right but just to give you an idea. I have 4 sets of 2 bulbs per 4' of tank, so 1st bank comes on at 9, 2nd at 10, 3rd at 11 and 4th at 12. Then shut off in reverse starting at 6 pm.

[Wayne]

here is how mine are, not saying it is right but just to give you an idea. I have 4 sets of 2 bulbs per 4' of tank, so 1st bank comes on at 9, 2nd at 10, 3rd at 11 and 4th at 12. Then shut off in reverse starting at 6 pm.

I could do something similar with the atinics on, 2 T5's, 2 T5's, Metal halides and then reverse. Better simulation of ocean brightness. I like that idea.

[chris88]

Good idea, but it woulnd't run light for more then 12hours. If you are looking to try some different t5's that are not actinic try the following, kz new gen, kz fiji purple, or kz superblue which are similar to an actinic but with a broader blue spectrum and higher par.

I could do something similar with the atinics on, 2 T5's, 2 T5's, Metal halides and then reverse. Better simulation of ocean brightness. I like that idea.

[reefwars]

12 hrs of light is good period.... any more and your just feeding algae. your corals and especially fish dont need that many hours of light at 8 come on my t5"s and at 3 come on my halides the halides come off at 7 and everything else at 8 .lately ive been keeping my lights on longer for buyers to see the coral opened but thats my usual schedule:):)

[The Grizz]

Good idea, but it woulnd't run light for more then 12hours. If you are looking to try some different t5's that are not actinic try the following, kz new gen, kz fiji purple, or kz superblue which are similar to an actinic but with a broader blue spectrum and higher par.

I also agree with Chris, I am running 6 New Gen's, 4 Super Blue, 4 Coral Lite and 2 Fiji Purple.

[Wayne]

Would it be a good idea to have 1 of each bulb or 2 and 2? When I replace the 20,00k metal halide I may go to a 14,000k if that affects anything :) I will shorten my photo period to 12 hours. I have only had minor brown algea so far. :)

[chris88]

if you go with 14,000k then i would do a superblue and a fiji purple. if you stay 20,000k i would go new gen and fiji purple.

[Vitaminz]

If you are already running a 20k MH, I would suggest sticking with it, it is what your corals and fish are use to. I personally like the 20k better, more blue in it. Just remember when switching the bulb to reduce your lighting period with the MH to get your corals use to the new bulb. When I replaced my bulb, I went down to a 4 hours on for 2 days, then 6 hours for 3 days, then back to the regular 8 hours after that. Even then, I had a few heads of my corals bleach a tiny bit. Just my 2 cents worth.

Jeff

[Wayne]

If you are already running a 20k MH, I would suggest sticking with it, it is what your corals and fish are use to. I personally like the 20k better, more blue in it. Just remember when switching the bulb to reduce your lighting period with the MH to get your corals use to the new bulb. When I replaced my bulb, I went down to a 4 hours on for 2 days, then 6 hours for 3 days, then back to the regular 8 hours after that. Even then, I had a few heads of my corals bleach a tiny bit. Just my 2 cents worth.

Jeff

I just got the metal halide fixture and it hasn't been on much, so they arn't used to the 20,000 yet. I like the slow increase of metal halides though, patience is the game :)

[Wayne]

if you go with 14,000k then i would do a superblue and a fiji purple. if you stay 20,000k i would go new gen and fiji purple.


Thank you Chris. When I pick up new bulbs in the next month or so I will go with one of those combos. Thanks for all your help so far!