Photoperiod.

[Reefer94]

In light of my recent problems with heat, I've shortened my photoperiod to 10 hours. Anyone have any input on wether or not 10 hrs is enough? I'm running 440w VHO on a 55gallon tank. The lights sit about 2.5 - 4 inches off of the water. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Rock on.

[Carol]

Wow, I have the exact same setup and wondering if 12 hrs is too much. Will be interested in the feedback you get.

[Carol]

I had to get 2 Radio Shack 4" fans to get the heat down. Is cooling okay - steady at 76-77 degrees

[reefguy]

well, my total photo period is 12 hours, but i only run my halides for the middle 8 hours during that period. the other 4 hours only my 2-40W actinics are on, but everything seems to be doing fine.

[nickg]

I run the exact same lighting on a 55 also. Though mine go for 13 hours. I only get a slight build-up of green algae on the glass. A once a week scrub job. The corals are growing pretty fast.

[reefguy]

i know what you mean, carol. the hardest thing that i've encountered in reefkeeping is maintaining the balance between minimizing algae growth and maximizing coral and fish growth. unfortunately, it seems that the very same conditions that encourage corals and fish to grow and thrive also can give nuisance algae problems. 'tis the nature of the hobby! LOL

[Carol]

I'm new at this but I am very happy with my lights - everything about them (except had to redo my canopy to get them in). Have IceCap 660 Ballast & 4- 110W (461/2") bulbs. 2 Atinics 03 & 2 Aua Suns (10,000) Don't have any corals yet. Love the color it projects. Anyhow, have been running 12 hrs from the start and one day tried 14hrs. Wow! Within 2 days I had this overgrowth of brown algae on top of all the good stuff. Changed that arrangement right quick. At 12 hrs things seem pretty happy. Course I just have 2 fish & some inverts. Will see about corals. The light kit I got from Reeffanatics online for $325 - no shipping charge. Very easy even for an old lady like me to wire. Best price I could find anywhere. They are real good on a lot of other prices too.

[dark horge]

Hi ya, everyone.

Here in the Philippines, I'd say that the wild reefs get just over 11 hours (average --since day length varies throughout the year), with a rapid spike up after the initial dim hour, then a slow fade in the last three and a half hours.

If heat is your problem, then either use cooler lights, or invest in an active venting system. Fresh air blown across the water surface does the trick --though you may have to handle any faint, exiting 'reeftank' aroma --which may be objectionable to certain housemates

A bag of activated carbon bag over the air outlet-port will take care of odors, methinks, before they can affect the room.

Against excessive heat, evaporation is your friend, though it means you top off more lost freshwater.

BTW, what temps are your tankwaters at?
Just curious to know what you feel is too warm


hth,
horge, dark

[fishinchick]

My lights run for 10 hrs a day with the two 40w actinics running for 1 hr before and one hr after. I do not have any algae troubles. So I agree with your 12 hours also.

The temp on my tank is a constant 81. I keep my house really cold so I have to run the heater in the tank alot.

Any suggestions for a good heater? I think I need one of those submersibles as it will have to sit sideways in the sump......

[sculpin]

Tank temperatures should be closer to 80-84 degrees. Mid 70's temperatures basically simulate winter on the reef.

[Reefer94]

So I guess 10 hours isn't long enough? Does anone else have a 10 hour period?

[reefguy]

well, i've just recently cut my photo period down to 10hrs from 12. i will update you later when i can see results (or lack of them!)...

[Doug1]

Mine runs about 12 hrs with 440w VHO and fan shut down and heaters going to keep tank at 81F. My house stays cold so I have 3 heaters going. I need to get a couple of new submersables with Johnson or Ranco controller and a controller to active the fan at a determined temp