How long do I run my halides

DAV3 · Apr 19, 2011

Lighting that I have: 2x250w 14000k metal halides, 2x140w 60" super atintic vho's and 2x54w atintic T-5s I have a mixed reef and I have only been using the Metal halides and T5s on this tank which is 3months old and I just installed the new ballast for my vhos today... How long do I run the vho & t5 for? and the metal halides for? I heard of people running the atintics for 2hrs before and 2hrs after the halides. I run the lights for 11 hrs a day total now and the halides and t5&vhos are on seperate timers. Should I cut the halides down to only 5-6hrs a day?

greg0385 · Apr 19, 2011

i would use the halides for 4-6 hours in the middle of the light cycle and have the t5 on for the other few hours before and after the halides. or atleast thats what im goint to be doing with mine. good luck with your tank.
greg