Reefbreeders Photon V2 Lighting Schedule

Samina · Dec 31, 2017

Hi all,

So I recently purchased the Reefbreeders Photon V2 48” model and I have to say I love this light. However, I am trying to set up a custom channel intensity in which there is the best spectrum balance (mixed Reef tank) and one that has a seamless sunrise and sunset. It seems like no matter how much I play with the intensities on the different channels, I cannot come up with a selection that very discreetly ramps up without an obvious change in light color and intensity on the hour. Below is my current selection and I am still acclimating my corals so that is why the intensities are still fairly low. If anyone has played with this light and came up with a seamless sunrise sunset type of setting please do chime in! Any input is greatly appreciated!!

CH1. CH2. CH3. CH4. CH5. CH6
(DR) (G) (RB) (NW) (CB) (V)
0700): 5%
0800): 5% 5% 5% 5% 10% 5%
0900): 10% 10% 15% 15% 15% 15%
1000): 10% 10% 20% 25% 20% 20%
1100): 15% 15% 25% 30% 25% 25%
1200): 20% 15% 30% 35% 30% 30%
1300): 20% 20% 35% 40% 35% 35%
1400): 20% 20% 35% 40% 35% 35%
1500): 20% 20% 35% 40% 35% 35%
1600): 20% 15% 30% 35% 30% 30%
1700): 15% 15% 25% 30% 25% 25%
1800): 10% 10% 20% 25% 20% 20%
1900): 10% 10% 15% 15% 15% 15%
2000): 5% 5% 5% 5% 10% 5%
2100): 5%

Samina · Dec 31, 2017

Sorry, when I posted the question, it deleted all of my space formatting on the table. The 5% at 0700 and the 5% at 2100 is one channel 5 (cool blue).

braappn · Jan 1, 2018

Here is my current schedule. I'm super happy with the ramping and color. Sorry no comment on your schedule, these tables are mind numbing to digest!

braappn · Jan 1, 2018

Also the spreadsheet graph really helps to design smooth steps in your program. Check it out this cam right off the reef Breeders website, under the FAQ or Support section.

Samina · Jan 1, 2018

Thank you! I’m going to try this out. I may have to lower the intensities on channels 3,5,6 because the corals are not acclimated to the higher intensities just yet. Do you keep sps? I have mainly softies, gorgs, macros, and a couple lps. Thanks for replying, appreciate it!!

braappn · Jan 1, 2018

Yeah, I wouldn't jump right from your schedule to mine. I've been slowly raising intensity over a couple months, have a few sps and planning for a clam. The spreadsheet also makes it easier to plan out your next change, rather than just winging it on the remote control!

Samina · Jan 1, 2018

braappn said:
Yeah, I wouldn't jump right from your schedule to mine. I've been slowly raising intensity over a couple months, have a few sps and planning for a clam. The spreadsheet also makes it easier to plan out your next change, rather than just winging it on the remote control!

yea it really makes for a nice way of being able to see how high each channel is being ramped up in comparison to others and can better help balance the blues to the white. Helps people like me that gain better understanding from visual representations. Thanks again!

Fishfinder · Jan 1, 2018

braappn said:
Here is my current schedule. I'm super happy with the ramping and color. Sorry no comment on your schedule, these tables are mind numbing to digest!

What does column H represent? And how do you make the graph on excel?

braappn · Jan 1, 2018

I never figured out column H. The spreadsheet somehow estimates light intensity based on fixture height off the water. I didn't make this, it comes from the reef Breeders website under FAQ section. Sorry couldn't figure out how to link to it off my phone.

Fishfinder · Jan 2, 2018

Oh ok thanks

Robsk · Jan 5, 2018

I always run blues (3,5,6) at same intensities but recently bumped my whites (4) to 40% of blues and digging the color. I was following the ecotech ab plus schedule but was just a little too blue for me on the photon.

Jerzyray · Mar 15, 2018

i like that setting. But i do run 2 t5 with it

Aquaman102 · Apr 13, 2020

Hi All - I know this is an old thread, but figure there are more Photon V2 users out there now.

I've got the 48" Photon V2 + the Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixture (4 bulbs) attached to it. The T5's are 3 x Blue Plus, 1 x Coral plus.

Pretty much sticking around the mixed reef schedule on the Reef Breeders website.

So, far I'm running the T5's from 12- 4 pm. I intend to work up to keeping them on until 6 pm.

I've got the lights hanging about 15" from the top of the tank, 20" from the highest rock.

I rented a Par Meter from BRS. When the T5's are on, I get around 160'ish on the sand bed and 350 at the top of the rocks.

Any other Photon V2 users out there that care to post their settings?

Retired Reefer · May 4, 2020

Aquaman102 said:
Hi All - I know this is an old thread, but figure there are more Photon V2 users out there now.

I've got the 48" Photon V2 + the Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixture (4 bulbs) attached to it. The T5's are 3 x Blue Plus, 1 x Coral plus.

Pretty much sticking around the mixed reef schedule on the Reef Breeders website.

So, far I'm running the T5's from 12- 4 pm. I intend to work up to keeping them on until 6 pm.

I've got the lights hanging about 15" from the top of the tank, 20" from the highest rock.

I rented a Par Meter from BRS. When the T5's are on, I get around 160'ish on the sand bed and 350 at the top of the rocks.

Any other Photon V2 users out there that care to post their settings?

I have the 24” on an 24x18x18 tank. No t5s. I run that same schedule but do have channel 5 on 3% all night and added an hour on each side of 20% across the board. My par meter should arrive Wednesda and I’ll post results

Retired Reefer · May 6, 2020

So I don’t have fancy skills on entering numbers so I print and write. This was taken at 10.5” above water level using 20-20-60-20-60-60.

350 highest pat averaging around 290 on top third, 260 middle and 230 sandbed. Very good spread as you can see if you can read it. I played with it and changed channels 3,5,6 to 75% and the 350 hit spot changed to 430 with the top third average 380.
I am acclimating at 50% of the 60% schedule so the acros sit at 160-180 for now.
I’m afraid the sand bed is too high but I don’t know how to lower that while keeping acros around 300+ without going higher which I can’t do. I’ll play with it but wanted to share

this thing is super powerful and I was wondering my some of my corals weren’t happy, now I know! Too much light

Aquaman102 · May 6, 2020

SoAg Reefer said:
So I don’t have fancy skills on entering numbers so I print and write. This was taken at 10.5” above water level using 20-20-60-20-60-60.

350 highest pat averaging around 290 on top third, 260 middle and 230 sandbed. Very good spread as you can see if you can read it. I played with it and changed channels 3,5,6 to 75% and the 350 hit spot changed to 430 with the top third average 380.
I am acclimating at 50% of the 60% schedule so the acros sit at 160-180 for now.
I’m afraid the sand bed is too high but I don’t know how to lower that while keeping acros around 300+ without going higher which I can’t do. I’ll play with it but wanted to share

this thing is super powerful and I was wondering my some of my corals weren’t happy, now I know! Too much light

Thanks for sharing! They are powerful lights! I still can't decide if I've got mine set to high on the intensity. It's hard to know for sure. I've got some mushrooms that open up and are happy, but a trachy that isn't to pleased it seems.

Retired Reefer · May 6, 2020

Without a Par meter its just a guess or assumption. Having the par meter this week is awesome. Im acclimating new corals so I was able to measure the par at 35% vs 60% and work a schedule to get up to 60% within 2 weeks. I had mine closer to the water and at 60% the past week and didn't realize how high the par was on low areas I put LP in.