How long do you run your lights?

[StewL6]

Including ramp times in mornings and evening i run from 7am to 10.00 pm I run my whites including low % reds and greens from 9 am to 4pm. Been running this way so long i think i forgot how to change the schedule.

 

[Arego]

When I remember to turn them on. I've been playing with a lighting test for 8 months in 4mo increments. I just thought one day this whole lighting thing was too specific and exact, the corals had nothing to deal with or worry about.. so I gave them something.

I now randomly turn the lights on and off for the day. Sometimes early sometimes late, some days not for a day and a half. The growth I've gotten spoke for itself and algae reduction was a pleasant side effect.

If I had to guess I'd say combined 7-9 hours give or take a few for blues, t5 & whites, some days are just t5 days, other days only led or any combo in-between.

 

[Lyss]

Mine come on at 7:30 a.m then ramp up to 10:30. Run until 3 p.m. with one period of clouds in the afternoon, then ramp down until 6 p.m. Then off for an hour, and moonlight set to lunar cycle from 7-10 p.m.

For my FW planted tank I don't have a light that can be programmed like that, just one on a smart timer -- that one goes on same time in the morning as my reef tank, then off at 2:30.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

7:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.. 2.5 hours of ramp up & 2.5 hours of ramp down.