Lighting schedule help

[Thalia]

Hello! I have a Coralife actinic 39w t5 ho and 10k 39w t5 ho, 48" fixture plus a 48" fluval aquasky. I was planning on using the fluval to do the sunrise/set and then have the t5's come on once the "sun is up" in the tank. What schedule would be recommended? I'm cycling my tank now, so obviously they'll be off for the first few weeks, but once I get fish, macro algae and coral in there (softies, lps) how should I have them running? Also what setting should I have for the spectrum on the aquasky? I have an apex classic to help me with programming if needed.
Edited to add: this is for a 75 gallon 48" tank
I have no plans to change the lights so those kinds of comments won't be helpful. I'm looking for help with the equipment I have, thanks.

 

[TX_REEF]

the ramp up and ramp off, with T5s once the "sun is up" is perfectly fine. I'd aim for 10-12 hour full light cycle per day. And, you don't have to follow the actual sun cycle, have the lights on more when you're gonna be home to enjoy the tank. For example, my lights run from noon to 10:30pm so I can enjoy the tank in the evenings after work.

 

[Thalia]

the ramp up and ramp off, with T5s once the "sun is up" is perfectly fine. I'd aim for 10-12 hour full light cycle per day. And, you don't have to follow the actual sun cycle, have the lights on more when you're gonna be home to enjoy the tank. For example, my lights run from noon to 10:30pm so I can enjoy the tank in the evenings after work.

Ok cool and how many hours of t5 do I need? I was planning on a 12 hour cycle but wasn't sure how long they need "full sun"

 

[TX_REEF]

Ok cool and how many hours of t5 do I need? I was planning on a 12 hour cycle but wasn't sure how long they need "full sun"

12 would be the absolute max IMO, you have to consider in nature that basically nowhere on earth gets 12 hours of direct sun daily - corals need time to rest. I'd do 30 min sunrise, 30 min sunset, and then t5s on with the LEDs between those times.

 

[Thalia]

12 would be the absolute max IMO, you have to consider in nature that basically nowhere on earth gets 12 hours of direct sun daily - corals need time to rest. I'd do 30 min sunrise, 30 min sunset, and then t5s on with the LEDs between those times.

Is there a lighting setting I should be using on the aquasky or does it not really matter because of the t5? Also for nighttime mode do I want 100% blue for a certain period?

 

[TX_REEF]

I would just tune the LEDs however you like visually, the T5s will provide most of your growth power. You could have 100% blue for a short period of time after lights on and before lights off to enjoy some coral fluorescence. I would not leave the blues on all night, I think it's most like nature to give the tank a fully dark night time.

 

[Thalia]

I would just tune the LEDs however you like visually, the T5s will provide most of your growth power. You could have 100% blue for a short period of time after lights on and before lights off to enjoy some coral fluorescence. I would not leave the blues on all night, I think it's most like nature to give the tank a fully dark night time.

Thank you! This is how I've set it for now. I'm honestly not really a fan of the blue lights on the tank... Maybe that will change when I get my corals...

 

[TX_REEF]

Thank you! This is how I've set it for now. I'm honestly not really a fan of the blue lights on the tank... Maybe that will change when I get my corals...

I agree, I don't like my tank to look like a disco 24/7. You can balance it out with a little more white from the LEDs so it looks more natural. I do like to see the fluorescent pop for a bit of time daily, so I run heavy blues for a while before lights off for that purpose.