Lighting Cycle?

[Ryan88]

So I'll be getting the SunDial Light setup tomorrow, FINALLY! So it has built in timers so I just was wondering what a good time cycle I should put it on?

 

[magic]

My T5 actinics come on at 10:00am, the MHs are on at 12:00pm. MHs off at 8:00pm and T5s off at 10:00pm.

Bob

 

[Hirobo]

my actinics come on at 7am go off at 10 and my mh come one at 1pm and go out at 8pm

 

[Phyl]

Wow.... that's a LONG light cycle. Most people do a 12 hr cycle with a 6-8hr "daytime" cycle.

 

[Hirobo]

Wow.... that's a LONG light cycle. Most people do a 12 hr cycle with a 6-8hr "daytime" cycle.

too long? everything seems ok in there

 

[jonathan.]

Wow.... that's a LONG light cycle. Most people do a 12 hr cycle with a 6-8hr "daytime" cycle.

I doubt the actinics are causing anything to go crazy, though. They add such little real usable light energy to the tank. The MHs are what I'd worry about.

My light schedule is as follows:

Actinics: On whenever I wake up (usually around 8am -- off at around 10 or 11pm)

MHs: On at 11AM, off at 7PM)

 

[Phyl]

You may have trouble with new introductions or hair algae outbreaks over time with that long a light cycle. The other thing is that your fish and corals need their nighttime too and 15hrs of light is not typical. The fun thing with this hobby is it is completely a "Your Milage May Vary" environment and there are many many ways to run your reef. I'm sure if you looked long and hard enough you'll find someone with as long a light cycle doing fine and still more who find that to be just too much.

 

[Hirobo]

You may have trouble with new introductions or hair algae outbreaks over time with that long a light cycle. The other thing is that your fish and corals need their nighttime too and 15hrs of light is not typical. The fun thing with this hobby is it is completely a "Your Milage May Vary" environment and there are many many ways to run your reef. I'm sure if you looked long and hard enough you'll find someone with as long a light cycle doing fine and still more who find that to be just too much.

Thats the great thing about the boards is you get info from every aspect. some things work for others and some do not. I also thought that the real lights to worry about where the MH thats why i only keep them on for 8 hours.