How many hours a day too run lights?

[Koby]

I’m curious how many hours a day too run my lights. I’m going with 12 hours per day now but I wanted too do a poll because I see so many different opinions. I automatically thought 14-15 hours a day would be good because in the summer where I live the sun comes up at 6 am and doesn’t get dark tell 8:30 pm give or take a little. If it makes a difference my tank has corals and fish. I also wanted too state for the record I have a manual light

(NICREW 150W Aquarium LED Reef Light)​

on an auto timer. I know some of the nicer lights have settings where you start with low light intensity and it grows throughout the day then goes down like the natural sun. I have mine on max brightness, lights on from 10am-10 pm.Thanks for the knowledge and advice everyone​

 

[Johnd651]

Running 10 plus ramp up/down

 

[Cichlid Dad]

You will not find a consensus. It all depends on the light, par level coral being kept, algae control so many factors. I run a lower par tank with acro so I run 12 hours. Light is a 6 bulb T5

 

[UtahReefer]

I run an 11 hour photo period. First hour and twenty minute is a ramp up. Next five hours is high intensity lighting. This is followed by a cut of 50% intensity in the whites, full intensity not the blues. Last two hours is a gradual ramp down to off.

 

[Dburr1014]

I do 3 hour ramp up, 6 hours, 3 hour ramp down.

Personally you the OP, start at 8 ramp to more hours until you see a problem and back off some.
Is all how the tank is doing, coral responding, algae growing. You will find that sweet spot eventually.

 

[Spare time]

I'd be more worried about the fish needing to sleep more than anything

 

[X-37B]

1hr up/down 8hrs peak 10 total

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I'd be more worried about the fish needing to sleep more than anything

That's what coffee is for... :face-with-hand-over-mouth:

 

[Spare time]

That's what coffee is for... :face-with-hand-over-mouth:

I prefer the sugar free white monster for my tank