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04/04/2009, 08:06 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lakeland, Fl
Posts: 1,169
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lighting schedule
you all might have noticed that i have posted many threads about my lighting and canopy situation for my standard 65 gallon sps/zoa/acan tank. Well i finally am happy with what I have. I installed 2 250w. radiums w/2 95w VHOs. alot of lighting for a 65, but everyone seems happy and already see some color improvements.....i was contemplating a new light time cycle and wondered what you guys thought. I was thinking of having 1 side on for 2 hours, both on for 4, then only the opposite side on for the last 2. Kind of like simulating the sun rising in one side and setting on the other. my tank is only 36" long so even one radium lit makes it to the other side. Standard spider reflecters by the way. Do this sound like it would be beneficial for my corals? Should I worry about the entire tank only being lit for 4 hours a day? Any input would be awesome. Thanks all.
P.S I really hope to make it to this months meeting so I can finally meet some of you!
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90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite Last edited by usfpaul82; 04/04/2009 at 08:53 PM. |
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04/04/2009, 08:32 PM
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#2 |
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Premium Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 2,237
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I think thats a great idea
 What kind of ballasts are you running?
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Emmett Jan. 09 TOTM Current Tank Info: 180 gal, Iwaki 70, 4-3/4" sea swirls, 3-400 watt Radiums, 4-80watt T-5's , custom Ca reactor, 1/3hp aqualogic chiller, i-Tech 400, Tunze osmolator |
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04/04/2009, 08:48 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lakeland, Fl
Posts: 1,169
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I am running new style icecaps. I know you get the true spectrum and more par out of radiums with a hqi ballast, but am really happy with the bluer color with the icecaps. I also don't think I have to worry much about a little lower par with 690 watts of light over a 65.
 By the way Emmett...all of the frags I got from you a few months ago are doing great! The ATL shades of fall is taking off and the purple haze if really spreading!
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90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite Last edited by usfpaul82; 04/04/2009 at 08:56 PM. |
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04/04/2009, 09:02 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 282
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I realy like your idea. I assume the 96w are actinics? This is the cycle I would run:
Hour 1: VHO on Hour 2: MH1 on Hour 3: MH2 on Hour 6: MH1 off Hour 7: MH1 off Hour 8: VHO off - or if actinic just leave on as long as you will be viewing.
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Andrew Current Tank Info: Oceanic 92g corner, 25g sump, 100g rubbermaid, MRC-3 dual beckett skimmer w/ 12" riser, i-TECH lighting canopy, MP40w |
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04/04/2009, 09:09 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lakeland, Fl
Posts: 1,169
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Yes, the VHO's are actinics...the full cycle would break down like this:
11am - VHOs on 12:30 - MH 1 on 2:30 - MH 2 on 6:30 - MH 1 Off 8:30 - MH 2 off 10:00pm - VHOs off (I start my cycle late as I like to view my tank in the evening after work and all)
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90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite |
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04/04/2009, 09:20 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 282
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Sounds perfect. How do you keep your water temperature down with that much lighting relative to water volume?
I don't start my cycle until 2pm!, so I understand what you mean.
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Andrew Current Tank Info: Oceanic 92g corner, 25g sump, 100g rubbermaid, MRC-3 dual beckett skimmer w/ 12" riser, i-TECH lighting canopy, MP40w |
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04/04/2009, 09:32 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lakeland, Fl
Posts: 1,169
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I have 2 coralvue variable speed fans and a dual azoo fan in the canopy. TONS of air flow in there. My temp has never gotten above 82.3. A little higher than I would like, but managable. I keep my place at 75 on the thermostat
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90g SPS, 40 breeder sump, ATB 840 v2 skimmer, 2 x 250w Radiums in Lumenmax 2 reflectors and Blue Wave M80 ballasts, 2 x 4' VHOs, 2 x Finnex 36" LED royal blues (18 x 1w LEDs each), 2 x Vortech Mp40w, ReefKeeper Elite Last edited by usfpaul82; 04/04/2009 at 09:52 PM. |
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04/05/2009, 01:43 PM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Tampa, FL
Posts: 254
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I've been doing the same concept for the better part of a year. I am only running 3 250w MH on a 6' tank. Each of the 3 "zones" we'll call them, get a total of 6 hrs of direct light, plus the light that bleeds over from the other lights.
12:00 pm MH1 on 1:00 pm MH2 on 2:00 pm Mh3 on 4 hrs later 6:00 pm MH1 off 7:00 pm MH2 off 8:00 pm MH3 off All of my corals seem to be doing very well. The biggest advantage I've seen with this set up is with much lower water temps. I do not run a chiller but have 10X 3" PC fans blowing down on the display tank. My tank temps stays a fairly steady 78 - 80 degrees summer and winter. A positive side affect is that you get the see the corals open and close with out the lights beeing totally off and under moon light. My unscientific conclusion is that it's much easier on the corals to adjust to the cycle. Quik
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I'm only here for the free T-Shirt! Current Tank Info: AGA 155 bow front Tank, 30 Gal Sump, 20 Gal Fuge, Euro Reef RS180, Reeflo return Pump. 3x 250w Phoenix 14k SE |
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