how long should I run my lights?

[kenzo]

I have, current USA orbit marine saltwater reef LED lighting system
which is 96 watts.It runs from 8.00am to 6.00pm and then blue leds from 6.00pm to 10.15pm.

The I have AquaticLife T5 HO fixture 4 bulbs 24w x 4 = 96 watts, 30 inch fixture.

I have these bulbs,
Giesemann Power chrome aquablue + 15000k

Giesemann power chrome actinic + 22000k

Fluval power Glo 18000k

and one regular actinic bulb 420/460nm

I have few sps and soft corals.

How long should I run my bulbs without causing an algae bloom?

CURRENTLY I'm running actinics from 12.00pm to 8.30pm and whites from 9.00am to 4.00pm. But I don't see much coral growth..

Dimensions: Tank: 18"L x 30"W x 24"H and 56 gallons.

 

[kenzo]

No one? :help:

 

[Zero Nitrates]

I run blues for 7 hours a day and whites for 2 hours a day!

 

[kenzo]

I run blues for 7 hours a day and whites for 2 hours a day!

Thnx! but whites just 2 hours a day? is that enough for sps corals?

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Works for me.

 

[kenzo]

I should try it! thnx

 

[Nav]

I run my Kessil on 20% Whites & 100% Blues for 7 hrs a day.

 

[Reefer4Ever]

I run the Orbit Marine blues 12 hours and whites 8 hours a day 2 hours of blues only before and after whites. I even have sps that grow with that light only.

 

[eranschau]

I run Maxspect Razor 120's and have them on the following schedule:

It's based on a ton of forum posts and some feedback from my LFS.

 

[Rausch]

I also have the Current Marine LED and i use that to supplement my Kessil A350w. I run my Current from 8 AM - 8 PM with 30 mins ramp up and down on each end at 100% on both white and blue channels. Then i run my kessil at 65-70% blue and about 50% white from 8:45 AM - 8 PM . This is my combo and it works wonderful!!! My garf bonsai, ice fire, pearlberry and red dragon SPS are putting on great growth and excellent polyp extension. Not to mention all of my LPS and Zoa's are really growing well. I figured i would run the current at full power and really dial in my specific intensity with the Kessil. I also run the moonlight setting for 2 hours after lights off.

 

[WindeyD]

I have a 4 bulb ATI T5 36 inch on a 40B; run blues 10 hours and whites 5 hours

 

[kenzo]

Thnx guys! :]

 

[uppermost]

I run Maxspect Razor 120's and have them on the following schedule:



It's based on a ton of forum posts and some feedback from my LFS.

I saw your chart on your light schedule. Could you post your 6 time point schedule? I have had the 160W razor for 3 weeks now and am undecided on where to leave my schedule at. I keep tweeking at it almost everyday

 

[uppermost]

I run Maxspect Razor 120's and have them on the following schedule:



It's based on a ton of forum posts and some feedback from my LFS.

I saw your chart on your light schedule. Could you post your 6 time point schedule? I have had the 160W razor for 3 weeks now and am undecided on where to leave my schedule at. I keep tweeking at it almost everyday

I run Maxspect Razor 120's and have them on the following schedule:



It's based on a ton of forum posts and some feedback from my LFS.

 

[hllywd]

My 3 Kessil A360Ws start ramping up at 0600 from all blue until they reach 85% max intensity and 90% white at the middle of the cycle, then down on a similar program so they go off at 2200. 2 - 80W T5 Coral Plus bulbs come on for 5 hours in the middle of that cycle. Total lighting time 14 hours daily. Full day timlapse can be seen below.

 

[hllywd]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YE53kqTcig

OK, for the timelapse either use this link. The starfish at high speed is cool, but the snails are awesome!

 

[eranschau]

I saw your chart on your light schedule. Could you post your 6 time point schedule? I have had the 160W razor for 3 weeks now and am undecided on where to leave my schedule at. I keep tweeking at it almost everyday

Sure thing!

 

[eranschau]

I saw your chart on your light schedule. Could you post your 6 time point schedule? I have had the 160W razor for 3 weeks now and am undecided on where to leave my schedule at. I keep tweeking at it almost everyday

Yeah, um... so since I suck at attaching images, let's just do this.

Time​	Period​	Channel A​	Channel B​
0:00​		0%​	8%​
0:30​
1:00​
1:30​
2:00​
2:30​
3:00​
3:30​
4:00​
4:30​
5:00​	1​	0%​	1%​
5:30​
6:00​
6:30​
7:00​
7:30​
8:00​	2​	10%​	15%​
8:30​
9:00​
9:30​
10:00​
10:30​
11:00​	3​	25%​	70%​
11:30​
12:00​
12:30​
13:00​
13:30​
14:00​	4​	69%​	95%​
14:30​
15:00​
15:30​
16:00​
16:30​
17:00​
17:30​
18:00​
18:30​
19:00​
19:30​
20:00​
20:30​
21:00​	5​	25%​	60%​
21:30​
22:00​
22:30​	6​	0%​	10%​
23:00​
23:30​
23:59​		0%​	8%​

 

[uppermost]

Wow I appreciate the post. 8% on blues during the night seems a little bright? I don't think my fish would go to sleep

 

[Schmitty]

I have kessil LED on a 29g nanocube and Im trying to dial it in, right now it's about 8-9 hrs a day ramping up to 45% intensity with 25%blue... Ill be tweaking more though cause my corals aren't looking their best.