How important is a full lighting cycle?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Jaws

I've been told that having a MH bulb fire on it's own can be a little shocking to some corals because of the intensity. Firing a power compact or two before the MH not only simulates sunrise and sunset but also allows for the coral to adapt to the lighting better. Go with the second one. You know you'll just end up adding on or upgrading to something similar in the future anyways. JMO.

who told you that?? never mind I don't want to know.

there are two ways to look at this.. a MH firing up on its own is a softer shock than a VHO or PC as a MH can take up to 5 min to reach full intensity and if you have ever watched on it starts dull and slowly gets brighter. the problem is the look of the tank with actinic lighting for a hour or two before and after the MH is on is one that I love so I will recommend going with the second one but only for aesthetic reasons.

Steve