how long should I keep lights on for reef tank?

dviper150 · 02/23/2012, 05:59 PM

I just got the rfk1 and wanted to set it up for how long to keep my lights on for. I have a 6 bulb t5 fixture with sps, zoas, and lps. How long should I keep the lights on for? Right now, I turn my actinics on at 1030am and off at 7pm. the daylights turn on at 11am and off at 630pm.

helitaiwan963 · 02/23/2012, 06:53 PM

my main lights are on for 8hrs a day. my actinics are on for an hour each before and after their on/off.

ptr13 · 02/23/2012, 06:59 PM

I have LEDs and can keep them on to 10 hours from actinic to high noon from 1-8 pm, I know its overkill but my sps really dont mind it.

dviper150 · 02/23/2012, 07:12 PM

I have my main lights on from 11pm to 7pm and actinics on for half an hr before and after. Should I change the actinics to an hr or extend the hours of my main lights or am I fine with this?

Drag Racer · 02/23/2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dviper150

I have my main lights on from 11pm to 7pm and actinics on for half an hr before and after. Should I change the actinics to an hr or extend the hours of my main lights or am I fine with this?

Wow only 3 hours of darkness.

dviper150 · 02/23/2012, 08:17 PM

haha I meant 11AM to 7PM.

BigKev23 · 02/23/2012, 08:27 PM

I run my 2 blues from 10:30-9:30 and my main lights from 11:30-8:30

Cubbies · 02/23/2012, 08:33 PM

I have an 8 bulb over a mixed reef, mostly LPS, Zs and Ps, 90 GAL. My actinics turn on at 10:45AM and shut off at 10:15PM. Daylights come on at 12:30PM and shut off at 8:15PM.

dviper150 · 02/23/2012, 09:16 PM

So am I okay with my time or should extend it?

Cubbies · 02/23/2012, 09:39 PM

Imo I think you should extend your actinics maybe a little

dviper150 · 02/23/2012, 09:51 PM

Do you think an hour before and after the main daylights is enough instead of the 30 mins or should I do it longer?

Cubbies · 02/23/2012, 09:58 PM

That's good I would say. If you can maybe a little longer. I know people who do the actinics for like 3 hours before turning the daylights on. I guess at the end of the day it's preferance. . .

dviper150 · 02/23/2012, 10:15 PM

I will start with an hour before and after daylights and work my way from there. Thanks.

ptr13 · 02/24/2012, 08:49 AM

yes I agree, actinics are about two hours for me, one hour before and after main lights.

02/23/2012, 05:59 PM	#1
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	how long should I keep lights on for reef tank? I just got the rfk1 and wanted to set it up for how long to keep my lights on for. I have a 6 bulb t5 fixture with sps, zoas, and lps. How long should I keep the lights on for? Right now, I turn my actinics on at 1030am and off at 7pm. the daylights turn on at 11am and off at 630pm. __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

02/23/2012, 06:53 PM	#2
helitaiwan963 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW suburbs of chicago Posts: 840	my main lights are on for 8hrs a day. my actinics are on for an hour each before and after their on/off. __________________ -Eric Tank: 75gallon mixed reef w/ 30gal sump//Asm G3 Protein Skimmer//2x 250w Reef Optix HQI Pendants//2x 110w VHO super actinics// Vortech MP40W and Koralia Evo1400//Quiet one 5000 Return Pump Current Tank Info: 75gal mixed reef build

02/23/2012, 07:12 PM	#4
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	I have my main lights on from 11pm to 7pm and actinics on for half an hr before and after. Should I change the actinics to an hr or extend the hours of my main lights or am I fine with this? __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

02/23/2012, 08:17 PM	#6
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	haha I meant 11AM to 7PM. __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

02/23/2012, 09:16 PM	#9
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	So am I okay with my time or should extend it? __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

02/23/2012, 06:59 PM	#3
ptr13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: bolingbrook Posts: 2,276	I have LEDs and can keep them on to 10 hours from actinic to high noon from 1-8 pm, I know its overkill but my sps really dont mind it.

02/23/2012, 08:27 PM	#7
BigKev23 Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 799	I run my 2 blues from 10:30-9:30 and my main lights from 11:30-8:30

02/23/2012, 08:33 PM	#8
Cubbies Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NW IL Posts: 1,475	I have an 8 bulb over a mixed reef, mostly LPS, Zs and Ps, 90 GAL. My actinics turn on at 10:45AM and shut off at 10:15PM. Daylights come on at 12:30PM and shut off at 8:15PM.

02/23/2012, 09:39 PM	#10
Cubbies Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NW IL Posts: 1,475	Imo I think you should extend your actinics maybe a little

02/23/2012, 09:51 PM	#11
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	Do you think an hour before and after the main daylights is enough instead of the 30 mins or should I do it longer? __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

02/23/2012, 09:58 PM	#12
Cubbies Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NW IL Posts: 1,475	That's good I would say. If you can maybe a little longer. I know people who do the actinics for like 3 hours before turning the daylights on. I guess at the end of the day it's preferance. . .

02/23/2012, 10:15 PM	#13
dviper150 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 2,799	I will start with an hour before and after daylights and work my way from there. Thanks. __________________ When in doubt, always have a way out.

02/24/2012, 08:49 AM	#14
ptr13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: bolingbrook Posts: 2,276	yes I agree, actinics are about two hours for me, one hour before and after main lights.