Lighting and work schedule

[Jeepguy242]

So, i was wondering if you guru's could answer me a question

i work 3pm to 11:30.....

i have my lights (3 radium 250 watt metal halides) to come on at 3, and go off at 10pm.... this means 5 days a week i dont really get to enjoy my tank... what i have done is i run an actinic LED strip 24/7... it is a cheap strip that i got on evilbay for 20 bucks.... this allows me to see the tank before i go to bed on days i work...

i had a ballst go out last week so i was poking around bulk reef supply and since i was ordering a new ballast i also ordered a reef bright actinic 48" strip...

is there any downside to running this light like a moonlight as far as algae or coral growth? with the cheapo strip i haven't seen a problem but i suspect this reefbrite will be much brighter and i dont want it to cause a problem....

 

[flagg37]

First of all, if you just want to see your tank lit when you’re home you can adjust your light schedule to when you’re around.

As far as the reef brite, I wouldn’t run it 24 hours a day. Your fish/corals need a dark period. In nature even a full moon is pretty dim. Just imagine if you tried taking par readings in the middle of the night in the ocean. I think it will be too bright to be run all the time. You could still run it for a few hours on either end of your normal light schedule.

 

[Jeepguy242]

First of all, if you just want to see your tank lit when you’re home you can adjust your light schedule to when you’re around.

As far as the reef brite, I wouldn’t run it 24 hours a day. Your fish/corals need a dark period. In nature even a full moon is pretty dim. Just imagine if you tried taking par readings in the middle of the night in the ocean. I think it will be too bright to be run all the time. You could still run it for a few hours on either end of your normal light schedule.

adjusting the light schedule isn't something i want to do, my girlfriend and kids enjoy the tank as much as i do... my girlfriend hand feeds the fish, shrimp, and serpent star... and my kids actually clean the tank... i may put the reefbrite on a time to go off at 1:30 which is when i go to bed most nights...

thanks for your input!

 

[SDboatguy]

I'd get the reefbrite and run it 12 hours say 1 pm to 1 am that would give you an hour or so before and after work and not stress the tank.

 

[Jeepguy242]

I'd get the reefbrite and run it 12 hours say 1 pm to 1 am that would give you an hour or so before and after work and not stress the tank.

i just got the reef bright and WOW.... i see what a quality light can do......

the evilbay string actinic lights i got were really a moonlight, and this is the reef bright

they will definitely work for me and i think i will just run them from 3pm with the halides and shut them off at 2am that will give me 2 and a half hours after work and i will definitely be able to enjoy the tank

 

[five.five-six]

Yes, fish need dark time to sleep, so do corals to feed and mysis to poke around for food. But shift that time for your enjoyment

 

[five.five-six]

Which ebay light did you get? I was looking at one of their 440nm tape lights for a similar purpose.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-4...%3Ae3da04051600aa146b501af9ffde6d18%7Ciid%3A1

 

[Jeepguy242]

Which ebay light did you get? I was looking at one of their 440nm tape lights for a similar purpose.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-440-nm-Actinic-BLUE-Moon-Light-LED-Strip-100-Lumens-Ft-Salt-Water-Reef/280905559007?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=49453&meid=c00621799b7a4cc5b0b9a7511b555e0f&pid=100678&rk=1&rkt=4&mehot=pp&sd=280905559007&_trksid=p2481888.c100678.m3607&_trkparms=pageci%3A87c37463-f696-11e7-a889-74dbd180afa7%7Cparentrq%3Ae3da04051600aa146b501af9ffde6d18%7Ciid%3A1

that is basically the same light i got for a moon light... i have had it for about a year....

this is the ebay light by itself

 

[Instigate]

I'd get the reefbrite and run it 12 hours say 1 pm to 1 am that would give you an hour or so before and after work and not stress the tank.

This. I run my Actinic LED strip 12 hours so I can get a chance to see the tank for longer. Although, it's probably not as bright as the reefbright.
My lighting schedule:
Actinic LED - 10am - 10pm
Blue+/Actinic - 12pm - 8pm
Blue+/Coral+ - 2pm - 6pm