What is the MINIMUM amont of hours for a softy reef?

[Irvine Man]

Hey guys, I'm hoping to cut back on electric costs where I can. What is the minimum you would think I can keep my lights(4x96PC) on during the day?

I was thinking about 7 or 8??

[Dalbery]

7 hours would be fine. You could buy some little LED's for sunrise/sunset and would only need like 3 watts.

[unclejed2]

I would say 8 hours. If cost is a concern, save your money and invest in the wave of the future (already here for some of us), LEDs. I use Ecoxotic Modules.

[floydie83]

You could also look at more efficient T5's but it would take you some time to regain the costs. I bet that 2x54w with some nice reflectors would do pretty well compared to 4x96.

[Irvine Man]

Thanks for the replys.
I'd hate to get rid of my PC lights. I'm thinking about doing the 7 hours. Or I can go back to my 2x96watt set up and run that for 10 hours, hmmmmmmm.
I guess for growth reasons I'd want the 4x96 but the 2x96 will be more economical. Could be interesting to see the comparison of the bill by trying one for a month then the other.

[Jadams]

The amount your going to save by just using the 2x65w is going to be very minimul. Id just go with 6 hrs/day with the 4x65.

The extra light for less time is better than less light for more time IMO/IME.

Good luck!

[Blown76mav]

Why not turn them on at different times?

Say the front bulb on 8 am - 1 pm
Second bulb 9am-2 pm
Third bulb 10 am -3 pm
last bulb 11am -4pm

In essence 8 hrs of light simulating sun rise with high noon lasting from 11am to 1 pm. You could adjust the times accordingly. You would save money, get maxium light and still enjoy the reef for a good portion of the day.

[HONDACBR600RR]

Why not turn them on at different times?

Say the front bulb on 8 am - 1 pm
Second bulb 9am-2 pm
Third bulb 10 am -3 pm
last bulb 11am -4pm

In essence 8 hrs of light simulating sun rise with high noon lasting from 11am to 1 pm. You could adjust the times accordingly. You would save money, get maxium light and still enjoy the reef for a good portion of the day.


Not too sure how you would manage that as most 4 bulb fixtures only have 1 or 2 switches, unless it is a retrofit with 4 switches it wouldnt work too easily.

[Blown76mav]

Not too sure how you would manage that as most 4 bulb fixtures only have 1 or 2 switches, unless it is a retrofit with 4 switches it wouldnt work too easily.

Don't know. I run MH's electrial cost worrries went out the window a while ago. I got a letter from our power company letting me know I used 5580 kwh's in two months. There suggestion was to turn off some lights.:lol2:

I would install some switches or something to make it work some how if I was trying to cut back.

[Irvine Man]

You bring up a great option. I have thought about doing the daylights for a shorter period, like 6 hours and the actinics for 8 or more to have the cool glow at night. But maybe I could have the daylights turn on for 6 and then the actinics for 6 but staggered for 4 hours of complete spectrum lighting or some situation like that...

And yeah, two bulbs are powered by a single switch, so I only have two options to mess with...

hmmmmm

[AquariumBiology]

6-8 hours will be fine for softies, and most lps.

[mudskipper1]

keep in mind that natural reefs only get really intense light for a couple hours a day, and the rest is mostly indirect light. I suggest running actinics for 8 and daylights as well for 5-6 hours in the middle.