Photo Period

jojon60 · 06-10-2007, 01:11 PM

What is the shortest photo period I can get a way with on a 72 gallon mostly softy tank. I am trying to cut down on the heat. As we start to get into the hottest days of summer my den is like a sauna with the three tanks I have in there. The 72 gallon has 432 watts of T5 lighting, I am able to keep the tanks temp between 80 & 82 right now. To me that seems a little to hot and it hasn't even got really hot outside yet. So I was thinking I could cut down the amount of time my lights were on. Right now the blue lights come on around 9 AM and the 10K's come on at 10AM. The 10K's turn off about 9 PM and the blues at 10PM.

On my seahorse tanks I only have the lights on about 5 hours a day and when its really warm less than that. I shoot for 72 to 74 on these tanks.

Thanks
Jan

marineduud · 06-10-2007, 01:23 PM

I would cut down to a 9hr. light cycle with the softy tank and shift the lights to later in the day so there on more in the afternoon and evening when its starts cooling off.

slant77 · 06-10-2007, 02:08 PM

I currenty run t-5s over my tank and my blue lights come on at 1:30pm daylights on at 2pm and off and 10:30pm and then blues of at 11:00pm

MikeAtJax · 06-10-2007, 02:31 PM

I run a seven hour cycle for MHs in the summer and 9 in the winter. I don't recall any heavy light demanding corals in your 72 so I would cut your cycle down a few hours. Trim your light cycle on the am side like Robert said.

I think if you gave your seahorse tank to Mikeatjax, it would help with the heat in your room.

MikeAtJax · 06-10-2007, 02:44 PM

Pushed the button twice.

jojon60 · 06-10-2007, 03:16 PM

Thanks Guys, I have just adjusted the timer. I think I will cut back the time period over a week or so.
How much do you think this will effect the grow of the zoas and other corals.

Mike
You can come visit it.

MikeAtJax · 06-10-2007, 03:24 PM

It will have some effect but hot water does too. My wife would love to see your tank! Thanks

jojon60 · 06-10-2007, 03:34 PM

Any time she likes just let me know.

MikeAtJax · 06-10-2007, 03:41 PM

I will and she will be impressed!!!!!

jojon60 · 06-10-2007, 04:03 PM

Hey Robert

Goldstripe · 06-10-2007, 09:21 PM

If you have a decent about of supplemental light you could get away with even less MH photoperiod. Of course that would be at the expense of growth but hey, the electricity bill won't be growing as fast either!