How long to run my lights?

[Dwb5]

Ok so I was looking at my tank today and got to thinking about my timers on my lights.I have a 6 bulb T5 ATI fixture. My actinics come at 2:30 then the rest come on at 3:30 then my main lights go off at 9:00 and the actinics go off at 10:00. How and how long does everyone else run there lights? And what are the pros and cons to a longer or shorter times? I'm looking forward to see your answers.

 

[CodyRVA]

I aim for something as close to "natural" as possible. When none of my lights are on, i let natural sunlight fill the room to the tank to help "ramp up" and "ramp down" since I don't have a dimmable fixture. You need to find a sweet spot, enough light to grow your corals, but not too much that you bleach them or see excessive algae growth.

48 inch ATI 6 bulb T5
1 Actinic Blue and 1 Purple Plus: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
2 Actinic Blue, 1 Purple Plus, 1 Coral Plus: 930 am - 6:00 pm

 

[Dwb5]

That makes alot of sense.I also like your bulb combo. Do you get good growth and color?

 

[CodyRVA]

I think so yea, i had no name junk bulbs in there at first because i bought the fixture used. The color I get now is amazing, good growth as well. Can't go wrong with ATI.

 

[Dwb5]

That's the way I feel. I have 2 purple 1 actinic 3 blue plus. Still trying to find what I like. My try your combo.

 

[TUSI]

That don't seem like a lot of light for coral growth. My attinics come on at 10 to 10 while my halides come on at 12 and 1 to 5 and 6 so it's 12 hrs of attinics t5 and 5 hrs of halides

 

[Dwb5]

Well that's why I was asking the question. I was thinking if I left mine on a little longer it would help with color and growth

 

[Greenstreet.1]

My H52's start to ramp up at 7am off by 7pm my 4x54w ati at 12noon 1 KZ SUPERBLUE , KZ FIJI PURPLE 12:30 ATI BLUE PLUS , purple plus.
All t5's off at 9:30pm.

 

[Dwb5]

So will running them longer help give them color up more?

 

[Greenstreet.1]

That is not determined by just lights nutrients are involved also light is just part of the puzzle Imo

 

[Dwb5]

Yeah that's what I'm trying to learn now. I have been trying to keep a better track of my water chemistry to help out as well. Just wanting to make sure that my lighting is up to par as well.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

Take your time keep things stable and it should all fall into place

 

[Dwb5]

Thank you for yoyr help

 

[G8trBait16]

I also have 2 Hydra 52 HD's. My actinics Royal blue (Actinic's) come on at 8am, All other led's come on at 9 ramp up 2 hours. From 11am-7pm they are at peak, ramp down 2 hours. 9pm- 10pm are just royal blue (actinics)

 

[Flipside]

7-8 hours is what has always worked for me. Good luck getting it dialed in! Remember to go slow with any adjustments on your photoperiod. :)

 

[shollis2814]

I have an Orbit Marine LED system and two Ecoxotic Stunner Strips in a hood covered with metallic tape on the inside.
I like to see my corals in the evening, so I shift my photoperiod.

Blues ramp up at 12 for 30 minutes. White ramp up at 12:30 for thirty minutes. Ecoxotics are not on a dimmer so they come on for 4 hours (2-6 pm) for the most intense part of the day. Then I reverse the process and have 2 hours of 'moonlight' with the blues at the end of the day.

 

[ifarmer]

I programmed my light to come on right just before i get home from work which is right around 7:00pm. It turns off at around 3:00am.
Good for corals and good for the house and good for my life.

 

[Bpb]

Ill play:

ATI 8x54 watt Sunpower, 12" off the water over my 90 gallon display. Overkill? You bet. That's how I roll

Channel 1:
ATI True Actinic
ATI Blue+
On from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Channel 2:
ATI Blue+
ATI Blue+
ATI Purple+
Giesemann 6500k Tropic
ATI True Actinic
ATI Coral+
On from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

12 hour total viewing period. 8 hour peak intensity in the middle.