how many hours a day for metal halides?

burgerchow · #1 06-22-2009, 04:29 PM

Hey everyone, my new tank is now up and running. 120 aqueon RR with dual overflows, oceanic 3 sump, quiet one 4000 pump, vertex in180 skimmer, coralife 2x250w aqualight pro. cheato in sump for phospates and nitrates, plus 140 lbs of the best live rock I've ever seen. ( thanks to Naesco for shutting down his tank). I've got the lights on timers. Moonlights are on 24/7, actinics are timed to come on an hour before the mh and stay on an hour after the mh go off. Question is how many hours a day should I keep the mh on? I've got some lps near the bottom and mid level, and some sps near the top. Currently have it set to come on @ 3:00 pm and off at 10:00 pm. Is 7 hours of maximum daylight enough? This is my first go with MH lighting. In the past, have used VHO , but I love the glitter effects of the MH

Thanks for any info.

xtreme · #2 06-22-2009, 04:37 PM

Check out this thread for peoples opions on photoperiods. I think most people run theres between 6 and 8 hours a day. Personally my 250w MH is on for 7 hrs a day.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=51820

burgerchow · #3 06-22-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtreme

Check out this thread for peoples opions on photoperiods. I think most people run theres between 6 and 8 hours a day. Personally my 250w MH is on for 7 hrs a day.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=51820

thanks. I'll think I'll run 6 hrs a day

banditpowdercoat · #4 06-22-2009, 06:29 PM

12 hrs here, the 150W's are 12hrs, 10am-10pm, and the 250W is 7 hrs, 2-9pm

BlueAbyss · #5 06-22-2009, 06:51 PM

I've been running my 70W for 10 hours.

Zoaelite · #6 06-22-2009, 07:07 PM

During the summer time my 400W DE fixture runs 12-6 I extend it to 11-7 during winter months. Supplemental actinics have about a 2 hour buffer zone on both sides for a dusk/ dawn effect. My Tek 5 system is on the same schedule.
Levi