Lighting Intensity and Schedule for JBJ 45

[jcbasile]

Hey everybody,

So I just finished setting up my first saltwater aquarium, a JBJ 45 gallon. I used dry rock and live sand and am beginning the cycling process now. Question is, what intensity and on what schedule should I set up my lighting system. The light is an Ocean Revive Arctic T247. I was thinking about running the lighting at 35% intensity for both white and blue from 10-8 then blue from 8-10 then off. Any thoughts?

 

[Ron Reefman]

I think that's OK for a starting point. Your tank is 22" deep, and I think you'll find corals will do better when the levels are more like 60 to 80% blue and 30 to 50% white. Probably start at the lower end, 60% blue and 30% white, then slowly bump it up depending on what corals you are keeping. Zoas and soft coral will be fine there. SPS probably would like the higher end.

BTW, I worked for Ocean Revive for a couple of years. They are reasonably well made fixtures. I think the designer/owner of the company sold a major portion of the company to EverGrow who was the manufacturer of the fixture. IMHO EverGrow is one of the best Chinese manufacturers in terms of making good quality products and still having reasonable prices.