Lighting - How long

forenpa1 · 03-08-2006, 07:29 AM

I just upgraded to a 2x150W 10K HQI-MH 1/ 2x130W Dual Actinic + moon lights lightning system (outer orbit) how long should I leave eah type of light on to simulate the best possible lighting scheme. I had a 2x 65 watt 10,000k and 2 x 65 watt actinic w moon lights and basically left the lights on from 7 am to 11 pm and then turned the moon lights on over night the tank is for the moment FO w live rock but I want to move to some sps and leather corals and maybe an anenome

whatevva · 03-08-2006, 07:33 AM

Here's what I do:

Actincs on at 6:30AM
First MH on at 9:30AM
Second MH on at 10:30AM
First MH off at 7:30PM
Second MH off at 8:30PAM
Actinics off at 10:00PM

(moon lights are always on)

Wiskey · 03-08-2006, 09:13 AM

I run my atinics for 12 hours (12-12) but I only run my MH for 4.5 hours (5:00 to 9:30) because of some lightining issues I have been having. But then I also have 2*250W MH over a 50 gallon BB tank.

Whiskey

johnny505 · 03-08-2006, 10:39 AM

you can run the halides all day if you dont have any corals.

three90s&125sump · 03-08-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny505

you can run the halides all day if you dont have any corals.

If you have low nutrients or you will get algae.

mtfatwork · 03-08-2006, 11:53 AM

I have the same type of setup.
7:30- actinic
8:30- 10k
10:30- mh
4:30- mh off
6:30- 10k
7:30- actinic off

Redemption · 03-08-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny505

you can run the halides all day if you dont have any corals.

How long should you run them with corals?

johnny505 · 03-09-2006, 11:19 AM

i run mine only like 4 or 5 hours a day. but the actinics are one 10 hours

Stipetich · 03-09-2006, 03:39 PM

Crazy!!! How much does your electric bill go up with all this?? Seems like a ton of power.

mdq · 03-09-2006, 06:27 PM

this is definitely not a cheep hobby