ATI Dimmable Sunpower light schedule

[UWUALineman]

I've had this fixture for awhile (24'' 8x24 over a 60 cube) and usually just hit the coral with 6.5 hours of 100% intensity. I've decided to utilize the dimming feature for the dusk to dawn effect.
Bulb combo is as follows:
6 BLue Plus
1 Purple Plus
1 GE 6500 (I think)

My schedule is:
1300-1600 0% to 100%
1600-2000 100%
2000-2200 100% to 0%

Do you guys feel the ramping up and down duration, although varying in intensity, is sufficient? I like the feature but want to ensure coral health will not be compromised.
I should mention this is an SPS dominant tank.

[UWUALineman]

Any experienced reefkeepers with this particular light want to offer their opinion?

[Tron_954]

You can do 6 to 8 hours of 100 percent but why not add a few hours of blue only before and after.

[Peter Eichler]

Any experienced reefkeepers with this particular light want to offer their opinion?

I feel that sunrise sunset effects are more for us than for the corals and is basically a gimmick.

[Tron_954]

It does prevent mild shock to corals and fish, like not "hey, here, zap... Lol"

I ramp at noon with an hour of blue then the other bulbs fire, ramping to full intensity, then back down etc...

[Peter Eichler]

It does prevent mild shock to corals and fish, like not "hey, here, zap... Lol"

I ramp at noon with an hour of blue then the other bulbs fire, ramping to full intensity, then back down etc...

From everything I've experienced, it's not even worth debating. No real harm one way or another.

[Tron_954]

It's a "dimmable" unit... Isn't that what you paid for?

Good night. Too tired lol

[Rwpdunne]

These are my settings for my Ati 8x39w
Channel 1 0% 11:30am - 100% 2:00pm -100% 10:00pm-0% 11:30pm bulbs 2x blue plus
Channel 2 0% 1:30pm- 100%- 2:30pm- 100%- 10:00pm-0% 11:00pm bulbs 4x aqua blue special 2x coral plus

HTH

Robbie

[gdemos]

i have ATI dimmable 8x54. I think its a great feature aesthetically and perhaps for system health (no real answers here but any time you can try to obey mother nature its a bonus, after all thats the goal right?) i think your schedule is fine, and a little experimentation in very slight incriments/decrements in either direction while closely observing is fine too; provided 'all else being equal' in your parameters, etc..

personally i ramp both channels at the same cadence. mixing the order of bulbs is important to keep consistent

perhaps more important than the ramp up/full power/ramp down period is the height of the fixture over the tank. any adjustments in period and height of fixture keep subtle and allow adjustment time in your observation. also be mindful of bulb lifespan ... the fixture is only as good as the bulbs.

[UWUALineman]

I completely agree that the dimming effect has no value aside from aesthetics and our personal viewing preferences. I like the fact that I'm able to somewhat replicate the actual dawn dusk effect for a somewhat more natural approach. As for the blues on for the final photo period, I personally do not like the look of strictly actinics and how everything glows.
My concern for the most part is; with the period of ramping up and ramping down should I consider that part of the photo period for the corals algae to do its work? In my opinion, and I'm no expert, I'd consider the ramping up and down equivalent to possibly an extra hour of "worthwhile" photo period for the coral.
My fixture is 9 1/2 inches from the waters surface.
Coral growth, polyp extension, etc seems to be good, I just want to have the most optimum environment with this fixture in use.


Thanks for the continued help as well guys.