Shortest light schedule for my sps

[JE]

I was wondering with summer coming for heat/electrical problems the shortest hours I can run my lights for my sps.

100gallon with 2-250 watt DE and 2-54 watt t5's.

i can gradually run my MH's less hours but what is the least amount of hours without hurting my sps? 6,7,8,9 hours?? i was thinking of running my actinics about 10 hours and my MH a little less.....I am running my lights at the same time for 10 hours a day.....

thanks,john

[jeffbrig]

I run 4 80w T5s for about 12 hours each day. I'm currently running 2 250w MHs for about 3h in the evenings when I can see the tank. I've run them shorter, and even gone periods without running MHs at all. IME, corals grow faster with more light, but I have had no problem keeping mine going even when running just T5 lighting at times (keep in mind, I have a bit more T5 than you do)

Of course, YMMV, there are about a million other factors that can come into play. Nutrient levels, water clarity, bulb positioning, etc.

[JE]

i expect less color are less growth for the time. but i would be happy if i could get away running the 6 hours.......thanks!

anyone else run theirs short...and if so what kind of results....

[Twitterbait]

if you are BB then take the mh down to 2-3 hrs and just run it on the t5's after. if not then i would still keep running them for 8 hrs a day

[JE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9916925#post9916925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Twitterbait
if you are BB then take the mh down to 2-3 hrs and just run it on the t5's after. if not then i would still keep running them for 8 hrs a day

i have sand. does a bb help out lighting that much???

[RobSW1]

twitterbait, i thought it as the other way around becuase the white color of the sand actually reflects the light back up providing more light.........this is complete speculation, but i would also like to know if its true.

rob

[tonyscoots84]

im running a bb tank

MH lights are one for 6 hours a day
2 250 watt 10 k reeflux bulbs.. SE's

Actnic supps - 2 tek t5 super actnics uri - 11 hours a day..

im gonna start reducing lighting to 5 hours then eventually to 4 hours im getting some really good colors and growth at the moment..

[mpoletti]

I run my 2x54T5 for 12 hours and my 250 DE halides for 4.5. I have a ssb and things are still growing new tips every couple of weeks.

[RobSW1]

I have no scientific reason, but i wouldn't go any less than 6 hours.