Light cycle

[zryder]

So I have been wondering what is the best way to do my lighting cycle..
I have 3 250w 10k XM bulbs, and 2 6' actinic VHO's running off an Icecap.
The Icecap has one power cord, to fire all on or all off.
the MH's have one power cord for each bulb. I have a single ballast and a dual ballast.
this is what I have figured, but I am wondering if it would be good or bad for the MH's

------VHO-----MH1-----MH2-----MH3-----Totals
10am-on----------------------------------VHO
1pm--on----------------on----------------VHO, 1MH
2pm--on-------on-------on------on-------VHO, 3MH
6pm--on----------------on----------------VHO, 1MH
7pm--on----------------------------------VHO
10pm off

now, the question is, would this be bad for the blulbs? the center MH would be on for an hour, off for an hour, on for 4, off for an hour, and back on for an hour. is starting it and shutting it down bad for MH? I know you need to wait for them to cool down, but Im not sure...

------VHO-----MH1-----MH2-----MH3-----Totals
10am-on----------------------------------VHO
12pm-on----------------on----------------VHO, 1MH
1pm--on-------on----------------on-------VHO, 2MH
2pm--on-------on-------on-------on-------VHO, 3MH
6pm--on-------on----------------on-------VHO, 2MH
7pm--on----------------on----------------VHO, 1MH
7pm--on-----------------------------------VHO
10pm off

[David Grigor]

Yes, I would limit each MH to one start on/off per day. While I can't quantify how much of a difference in the overall life of the bulb but startup is the hardest on the bulbs.

It doesn't really matter the order of the MH really. I always did left to right in order but center first really is just personal preference. Interval in between each startup mostly is personal preference too. I really don't like the half on / half off look, so I did about 30 minutes in between startups just so not a huge amp spike all at the same time.

[dirk griffin]

Generally the bulbs should be on once and off once. Like David said, the start up is very hard on the bulbs.
Some go left to right or the other way. While others have the 2 outside on longer than the middle one. It is not that big of a deal. Same goes for the actinic, on half an hour to an hour before/after the MH come on/off. I like leaving the act on all day, some like turning them off when all the MH are on. Again, not any big deal.
The corals will be affected, more by your tank chemistry and parameters than when/what light comes on/off.

[zryder]

the i think i will keep it the way it is now, with the top diagram. no need to start and stop if there isnt any big difference