Optimal photoperiod for SPS

[Boxofpurplerocks]

Just like the title says...what do you guys think the optimal photoperiod is for sps? What do you guys currently run?

 

[SeaDweller]

A couple of hours ramp before and after a core 8 hour photoperiod of daylight spectrum. Not sure if this is optimal, but this is what I run in my tank.

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

A couple of hours ramp before and after a core 8 hour photoperiod of daylight spectrum. Not sure if this is optimal, but this is what I run in my tank.

Got it, thanks for the input. I'm currently running 8hrs, no ramp up/down, so thinking about bumping it up an hour or two.

 

[SeaDweller]

Got it, thanks for the input. I'm currently running 8hrs, no ramp up/down, so thinking about bumping it up an hour or two.

What kind of lights are you running, and do you need to bump it to make it longer?

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

What kind of lights are you running, and do you need to bump it to make it longer?

Currently running a mars aqua black box over my biocube 32. Really I only want to bump it up for my benefit so I can watch the tank longer [emoji14] . But I'd like to make sure first it wont be detrimental to my livestock

 

[SeaDweller]

Currently running a mars aqua black box over my biocube 32. Really I only want to bump it up for my benefit so I can watch the tank longer [emoji14] . But I'd like to make sure first it wont be detrimental to my livestock

My photoperiod is like 16 hours total. I think you’ll be ok

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

My photoperiod is like 16 hours total. I think you’ll be ok

Music to my ears. Thanks for the input [emoji106]

 

[Potatohead]

I've only been running nine hours total and six hours at full rip. Been thinking about more, but not 100% at this point...

 

[SeaDweller]

Music to my ears. Thanks for the input [emoji106]

I think ideally you want about 12 hours total, including your core photoperiod, which allows a few hours before and after or just after or whatever you want

 

[jda]

I run 9 hours of MH with an on/off light timer. I have run 10 or 11 before.

All that I keep is acropora and clams.

 

[rogersb]

I think your poll and your OP are asking different questions. I answered 8 hours but that's total run time. My peak is only 5 hours long.

 

[Crashjack]

I run 12 hours, but that is dusk to dawn. My LEDs are set to slowly ramp from night through morning until mid-day peak, and then slowly ramp down back to night. My T5s run for 5 hrs 20: minutes in the middle.

 

[ks2509]

I have mine start coming on @930 full from 11-730 full off at 9. Not a lot of sps yet but the ones I have seem happy.

 

[Matt Carden]

I was running 12 hours and had aot of algae. Talked to my LFS and he suggested 8 hrs to reduce algae growth. So that's what I run but no sps yet.

 

[smartwater101]

5 kessil a360s on a 90" tank.
1.75 up, 8.5 full, 1.75 down. 12 total.

 

[Filthybum]

AI hydra 26s 2 of them 2 hour ramp up 6 hours full then 2 ramp down. 10:00am til 8:00 pm. Only been running 4 months small amount of sps but they seem happy so far.

 

[FMF0331]

12 hours total of lighting - 1 hour ramp up / 10 hours photo period / 1 hour ramp down

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

12 hours. 1.5 hour ramps up and down with 9 hours of peak

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

12 hours. 1.5 hour ramps up and down with 9 hours of peak

Is the ramp up and down my for aesthetics, or the corals benefit?

 

[Boxofpurplerocks]

12 hours total of lighting - 1 hour ramp up / 10 hours photo period / 1 hour ramp down

Wow, amazing looking colonies!! Jealous.