Thoughts on my light cycle!!

Ok I have been think about my light cycles for my new tank I am setting up. I have 2 Hamilton aluminum canopies and a Pc retro ( 2 32w)
Here is the breakdown of on off times.
12:00 am
1:00 am 2 110w VHO actinics OFF( Moon Mode)
2:00 am
3:00 am
4:00 am
5:00 am 2 32w Actinics OFF
6:00 am
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am ( Morning Mode) 2-110 VHO aquasun ON
10:00 am
11:00 am 2-175w 65k halides ON
12:00 pm 2 110 VHO aquasun OFF
1:00 pm 2 175w 10k halides ON
2:00 pm p
3:00 pm e (5.83w per gallon)
4:00 pm a (700w of light)( MidDay Mode)
5:00 pm k
6:00 pm sunlight!!!!
7:00 pm 2-175w 65k OFF, 2 110w aquasun ON
8:00 pm 2 175w 10k halides OFF
9:00 pm 2 110w actinics ON( Night Mode)
10:00 pm 2 aquasun OFF
11:00 pm 2 32w PC moon lights
roughly 13 hrs White light,5 hrs actinic,6hrs Moonlight. 24 hr light cycle with 3 hours of darkness. Most of the light overlaps, but I think I nailed it this time. unless someone sees something I have yet to notice. Times are set-up so they are perfect for my viewing times so keep that in mind 4pm to 9pm.I will have my refugium kick on at 12 am and off at 9 am to utilize its ph adjusting benifits. I will also shut down my skimmer every second day during my night mode so I can drip in food ( 1 ml Dt's, 1 ml BSD MacroAlgea,1 cc Golden pearls, mixed with 1400ml of aquarium water threw a Kent Aqua doser and Air pump to keep food in suspension)I hope I figured on all points because I was thinking about this model for like 3 days and my brain is kinda fried. Any opinions would be great.
Thanks a ton
Mike

[bill-e]

Mike,

Personally I dont think you have enough darkness, and I think your moon light is too bright.

Remember, the moon is only "out" about half the time, and then it's at varying intensities depending on it's size. If you are going to try to simulate the moon without a moon timer/dimmer, then I would suggest just one 25w incandescent blue bulb over the middle of the tank. that will allow those who like it darker to move to the ends of the tank. IMO two 32w PC's on every night is too much light.

[ 04-07-2001: Message edited by: bill-e ]

[Doug1]

My lighting is not as complex as yours but I have the 2 actinics come on at 11am then the 2 daylights(white act and aquasun) come on at noon so all of them run till 1030pm when the daylights shut down folled by the actinics an hour later, for a photoperiod of approx 12.5 hrs. If and when I add MH to the mix I will have one come on an hour after the daylight VHO and the second one an hour after that, each light on a timer to run 8 hrs and shut down automatically. Given that the tank gets some ambient light from the curtains being open in the morning it gets a gradual ramp up effect and even better if I add MH as it will better simulate the intesity of the sun over the course of the day. I havent tried moon light simulation yet, so I can't address that, but it seems most moonlight sim bulbs are much lower wattage more like 6 or 10 watt deep blue.
Also I would be concerned about shutting my skimmer off at night unless you have plenty of alternative circulation, esp air/water surface interface, though you should have that covered as the refugium becomes established, Just my take on it

I figured I may have went to powerful on moon lighst ,but I went up in wattage to account for spread. 48'' is alot for a 14'' bulb wouldnt you think. I do see i may go for a NO type light maybe 1- 18'' 15w light mounted in one of my canopies. I come to the point where i may need a Neptune controller so could anyone give me info with relation to my system how the Neptune would help me.

[bill-e]

With the Neptune you could control all your lights and even have the seasonal variations. The Neptune also does a moon cycle which not only adjusts duration and time of day, but intensity. The Neptune moon cycle requires an incandescent bulb. Again, a 25w GE blue party bulb is ideal for this, and will be just fine for a 4' tank as it totally illuminates my 3' tank.