Photoperiod

Ol Studly · 03-13-2002, 12:34 PM

Hi. I'm looking for advice on how long to run my lights. It's a 125 w/ 2 6' actinic vhos and 3 400w 10,000k mhs that will ultimately house sps corals and clams. I'm currently running the vhos for 14hrs w/ the halides running 8hrs in the middle of that. Any suggestions? Thanks.

reefguy · 03-13-2002, 12:49 PM

man, that's a lot of light...should be absolutely great if you can avoid having temperature problems. if it were me, i might consider cutting down the length of time the vhos are on, but even if you don't it sounds like a great setup in the making!!! make sure to share pics with us

by the way, i currently run my halides for 7 hours and my actinics for 10 hours. just like you, the halides are centered in the middle of the photoperiod

jegel · 03-13-2002, 01:00 PM

I would think the lights should be on longer than 10 hours a day???
Its normally daylight for at least 12 hours a day. I'd go for something like running the VHO's 12 hours and the MH's for 9 or 10 hours.

reefguy · 03-13-2002, 01:08 PM

well, i've never had any problems with my corals not getting enough light. i would think as long as your lighting is adequate and consistent with respect to photoperiod, 10-12 hour would be adequate....

MontanaRocknReefer · 03-13-2002, 02:11 PM

I think the length of time in running your lights in a photoperiod will depend on what will work for your reef set up.
Depends on what corals your plan on having and if they demand alot of light for their survival where others do not require alot of light or very little!
I have read where 10-12 hours is sufficient for your corals survival! Johnny