Lighting time on advice

[chris88]

Good idea, but it woulnd't run light for more then 12hours. If you are looking to try some different t5's that are not actinic try the following, kz new gen, kz fiji purple, or kz superblue which are similar to an actinic but with a broader blue spectrum and higher par.

Originally Posted by Wayne

I could do something similar with the atinics on, 2 T5's, 2 T5's, Metal halides and then reverse. Better simulation of ocean brightness. I like that idea.

[reefwars]

12 hrs of light is good period.... any more and your just feeding algae. your corals and especially fish dont need that many hours of light at 8 come on my t5"s and at 3 come on my halides the halides come off at 7 and everything else at 8 .lately ive been keeping my lights on longer for buyers to see the coral opened but thats my usual schedule

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by chris88

Good idea, but it woulnd't run light for more then 12hours. If you are looking to try some different t5's that are not actinic try the following, kz new gen, kz fiji purple, or kz superblue which are similar to an actinic but with a broader blue spectrum and higher par.

I also agree with Chris, I am running 6 New Gen's, 4 Super Blue, 4 Coral Lite and 2 Fiji Purple.

[Wayne]

Would it be a good idea to have 1 of each bulb or 2 and 2? When I replace the 20,00k metal halide I may go to a 14,000k if that affects anything I will shorten my photo period to 12 hours. I have only had minor brown algea so far.

[chris88]

if you go with 14,000k then i would do a superblue and a fiji purple. if you stay 20,000k i would go new gen and fiji purple.

[Vitaminz]

If you are already running a 20k MH, I would suggest sticking with it, it is what your corals and fish are use to. I personally like the 20k better, more blue in it. Just remember when switching the bulb to reduce your lighting period with the MH to get your corals use to the new bulb. When I replaced my bulb, I went down to a 4 hours on for 2 days, then 6 hours for 3 days, then back to the regular 8 hours after that. Even then, I had a few heads of my corals bleach a tiny bit. Just my 2 cents worth.

Jeff

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by Vitaminz

If you are already running a 20k MH, I would suggest sticking with it, it is what your corals and fish are use to. I personally like the 20k better, more blue in it. Just remember when switching the bulb to reduce your lighting period with the MH to get your corals use to the new bulb. When I replaced my bulb, I went down to a 4 hours on for 2 days, then 6 hours for 3 days, then back to the regular 8 hours after that. Even then, I had a few heads of my corals bleach a tiny bit. Just my 2 cents worth.

Jeff

I just got the metal halide fixture and it hasn't been on much, so they arn't used to the 20,000 yet. I like the slow increase of metal halides though, patience is the game

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by chris88

if you go with 14,000k then i would do a superblue and a fiji purple. if you stay 20,000k i would go new gen and fiji purple.

Thank you Chris. When I pick up new bulbs in the next month or so I will go with one of those combos. Thanks for all your help so far!