It's interesting. We put very high intensity bulbs over our tanks and then we turn off the lights:lol:
I have my 50 gal with just one 14000k 150MH over it. There's lots of light for my SPS and I can run my lights all day. That way I can actually enjoy "seeing" my fish and corals:biggrin:

My current tank runs at 6 hours, better results than I've ever had, color-wise. Growth is not a concern, I actually prefer less growth.

The photoperiod over the areas corals come from really doesn't change at all over the year. It gets dark in Bali around 6ish every day.

interesting link, less is more

For me i had too many variables, i switched from a 2 bulb 10k and actinic, to a 4 bulb 420/460 and 700+ lights, different fixture and programming. I was running 12hrs on and 12 off, now the auto programming on the aquaticlife fixture runs the 420/460 from 8am to 8pm, the 700+ from 10am to 5pm and the moonlights from 8pm to 11:30 pm. I have notice a large increase in my coral algae growth, almost no nuisance algae at all and all my corals are getting more colourful. Like i said though, too many variables as i also switched to RO water, started testing/optimizing chemistry, added a refugium...on and on and on. If everything is equal, then the lights could be the reason, but too many other things have also changed. when i started my tank i started a journal and keep track of all my water changes, dates of testing and results, even when a fish dies. This is the only way imho that you can say one thing or another really had an effect.

Really think you have your issue misdiagnosed. Just my opinion though.

Who misdiagnosed what issue?

:biggrin: I think Doug's been drinking too much coral snow ;) LOL

All his wrasses were swimming really fast and the colors made him a lil loopy :lol:

he thinks i mis-diagnosed my issue. this wasn't an issue though, common fact. For instance, one of the new milli's i picked up off of snappy turned white on the side facing the light, but the side that isn't still looks great. also i have found that stylo and birds nests are great indicator corals when it comes to to much light. the only birds nest that can actually withstand the higher light is the pink one while bith my other types and the stylo start to lose base color and bleach out.

but this thread was suppost to be a helpful link, not an issue i am facing