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View Full Version : Best way to set t5 lighting timer


itsamanda
03/30/2013, 07:28 PM
Hi :)
I just bought t5 ho lighting for my 55 gallon fish-only. Ive had standard lighting that comes with the tank from pet store for about 6 months until now.

2x 54W T5 HO lamps 10000K
2x 54W T5 HO lamps Actinic Blue
4x LED

I'm wondering what the best way to set up the timer. For example, should I keep 2 of the 4 on for a certain time of the day(if so, which of the 2?), then switch them up for the second half, and turn on the led's for a few hours at night? I was told not to keep the lighting on for more than 6 hours, the led's following being an acception.
I'm planning on getting beginner soft corals. Some polyps, maybe leather corals. Im not sure what lighting plan I should have in place without and with the corals when I eventually get them.

Thanks for the Help in advance!

Michigan Mike
03/30/2013, 07:43 PM
Until you get corals you can turn on the actinics for an hour or two before the 10k bulbs, running only 2 bulbs at a time.
When you have corals try to replicate a dawn/dusk using the actinics then add the 10k bulbs to the actinic bulbs altogether for 6-8 hours, you need all the bulbs on for 6-8 hours for your corals.


-Led,Actinics, actinics & 10k, actinics,led-

Get ATI bulbs if you really want to see your coral thrive.