Why Is 8 Hours Of Bright Light Optimal?

[Jesse biocubebeginner]

I'm sure at the equator, where reefs are they get 14 hours of bright sun. I run my actinics for an hour. Bright lights for 8. Then actinics for one. It seems like everywhere suggests this but not sure why. I work more then eight hours so it cuts into my viewing time.


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[TORX]

Just run them later

 

[TORX]

Or earlier, around you working

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Anymore than 8 hours you usually start running into algae issues.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

That and some corals dont get 14 hrs.. between sunrise, sunset, cloudy days and if its deepwatwr stuff they might only get 8hrs of optimal light.

 

[TORX]

The sun is out for 14 or so, but as it rises and sets, it is farther from said point in earth. Or at least that is my assumption. 8 hours or so works well for my tank

 

[Nonuser]

So your saying the 14 hours I leave my lights on is a little excessive?

To tell you the truth everything about the aquarium is totally abnormal. But we do our best and try to keep everything happy. But putting a tang in a 300 gallon aquarium is like putting a killer whale in a tank at sea world.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

IME its a little excessive, but to each their own. Unless you are running ULNS, then you might be able to run lights on that long without creating algae problems. I wish i could have my lights on 14 hrs a day, id have to scrub my glass everyday and have some extra cuc probably.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

I use to run them 12 hrs at one point and was always scrubbing my glass, and has constant algae battles. But the light was probably just fueling the other issues, ie nutrients.

 

[Skim]

Well Riley you know there are students looking for work... Ha Ha Ha. I have mine go for a Total of 12 Hrs. start at noon first hour from 0 to 50% and 0 to 30% Color then 10 Hrs. at 75% and 45% color then at 11:00 its down to 50%-30% and tell Midnight it will go down to 0%-0%. I clean my Glass once a week but I run GFO 1 cup maybe a touch more and change about every 2 weeks or more depends how fast the Glass starts cloud.

Skim

 

[EricTMah]

I run my actinics for 14 hours and full lights for 11 hours and have no algae issues. My glass takes about five days before it gets algae over it.

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[heath]

like Eric said I run for at least 12 hrs a day, I have my tanks to enjoy them. I have no algae issues..my yellow tang and fox face wish I did ...

 

[reeferkeeper420]

This topic your going to get alot of different answers.. i know IA only runs their lights for 5 hours on his lps cube. Whatever suits you and your tank best is the only real answer lol.

 

[EricTMah]

All comes down to know your tank and do the best that suits your own system

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Yeah once i get my p04 under control im going to try making my light period longer and see how it goes. Right now im at 1 hr 1 actinic, 1 blueplus, then all 8 bulbs for 7 hrs then 1 actinic 1 blue plus for the last hour, giving my tank a total of 9 hrs of light.

 

[EricTMah]

Good idea Riley.

The only reason I'm at so many hrs of light is because my PO4 is zero and I can never get my NO3 above 2ppm.

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[heath]

This topic your going to get alot of different answers.. i know IA only runs their lights for 5 hours on his lps cube. Whatever suits you and your tank best is the only real answer lol.

no 2 tanks are the same..

 

[Jesse biocubebeginner]

Awesome advise guys. Going to slowly move up an hour or two and see if algae blooms. If I mostly have soft corals will longer light make them grow faster?


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[scubasteve]

everything loves light its just a matter of acclimating to a different intensity thats a pain

 

[unibob]

Intensity goes with length lights are on as well. One way to acclimate corals is to shorten the lighting period.


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