How long is too long, to run your lights?

MidwestReefer · Apr 21, 2017

How long do you run your lights (full intensity) each day?

I turn my full spectrum on my tank before I got to work, and they stay on for about 8-9 hours, then when I get home I switch them to blue lights for about another 1-2 hours before it's lights out... Is this to long?

AwildcatsZ · Apr 21, 2017

A very simple answer goes like this. Every tank is different. What works for you, might not work for me. If your tank inhabitants are happy then there would be no reason to believe your lighting schedule is wrong. In the end we are striving for stability and this goes for our lighting as well. Corals and fish will adjust to your lighting schedule.

A case to back this up is what happened with my dads tank not too long ago. He decided to change up his lighting schedule and intensity. Prior to doing this his tank was doing very well. His corals did not adjust well to the lighting change and a few pieces started to wither away. He went back to his original schedule and they all came back.

That being said, I think your lighting schedule is close to normal. Do you have a ramp time, or is it 100% right from the get go? I start my ramping at 8am. It's 100% intensity from 12-6 and then begins to ramp down until lights out at 10pm.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 21, 2017

A very complicated answer goes like this.http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/5/aafeature

And no its probably fine. Time and intensity should be considered, but...

AwildcatsZ · Apr 21, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
A very complicated answer goes like this.http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/5/aafeature

And no its probably fine. Time and intensity should be considered, but...

Reading just the beginning of this article makes me feel like I'm sitting back in a biology lecture hall...will this be on the final exam? I wish I paid more attention in that class.

revhtree · Apr 21, 2017

Funny you mentioned this as I just dialed back my light cycle time this morning.

revhtree · Apr 21, 2017

Hope you don't mind I added a poll for more conversation!

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 21, 2017

AwildcatsZ said:
Reading just the beginning of this article makes me feel like I'm sitting back in a biology lecture hall...will this be on the final exam? I wish I paid more attention in that class.

revhtree said:
Funny you mentioned this as I just dialed back my light cycle time this morning.

LOL.
This is how I run my lights from 6am to 10pm.

(my first hour and last are dusk with little intensity, that's when the Ruby's spawn)

I estimated the DLI....

__Jreef__ · Apr 21, 2017

I run my lights from 9am to 10:20pm but not at 100%

mpjmeyer · Apr 21, 2017

My lights start ramping up to 35% from 10:00-12:00, then are at 50% at 1:00-8:00, then ramp down to moon lighting from 10:30-11:45

redfishbluefish · Apr 21, 2017

I only run "Full Intensity" for four hours per day. I only have simple control of the predominately blue and predominately white channels (on or off). Here's my actual schedule:

Sunrise (Nightlights) ------------ 1 hr ------------ 10AM-11AM
Morning (Blues only) ------------ 3 hr ------------ On at 11AM
Mid-day (Blues and Whites) --- 4 hr ------------- 2PM - 6PM
Afternoon (Blues) ----------------3 hr ------------- Off at 9PM
Sunset (Nightlights) --------------1 hr ------------ 9PM-10PM

redfishbluefish · Apr 21, 2017

I only run "Full Intensity" for four hours per day. I only have simple control of the predominately blue and predominately white channels (on or off). Here's my actual schedule:

Sunrise (Nightlights) ------------ 1 hr ------------ 10AM-11AM
Morning (Blues only) ------------ 3 hr ------------ On at 11AM
Mid-day (Blues and Whites) --- 4 hr ------------- 2PM - 6PM
Afternoon (Blues) ----------------3 hr ------------- Off at 9PM
Sunset (Nightlights) --------------1 hr ------------ 9PM-10PM

GatorScott · Apr 21, 2017

AwildcatsZ said:
That being said, I think your lighting schedule is close to normal. Do you have a ramp time, or is it 100% right from the get go? I start my ramping at 8am. It's 100% intensity from 12-6 and then begins to ramp down until lights out at 10pm.

Exactly what I run, except 100% intensity in my tank is 42%blue 32% white.

MidwestReefer · Apr 21, 2017

AwildcatsZ said:
A very simple answer goes like this. Every tank is different. What works for you, might not work for me. If your tank inhabitants are happy then there would be no reason to believe your lighting schedule is wrong. In the end we are striving for stability and this goes for our lighting as well. Corals and fish will adjust to your lighting schedule.

A case to back this up is what happened with my dads tank not too long ago. He decided to change up his lighting schedule and intensity. Prior to doing this his tank was doing very well. His corals did not adjust well to the lighting change and a few pieces started to wither away. He went back to his original schedule and they all came back.

That being said, I think your lighting schedule is close to normal. Do you have a ramp time, or is it 100% right from the get go? I start my ramping at 8am. It's 100% intensity from 12-6 and then begins to ramp down until lights out at 10pm.

I do not have a ramp time. I let natural light touch the tank, by opening the shades to wake the fish and coral. Then a few minutes before I leave it turn on 100% and feed

MidwestReefer · Apr 21, 2017

Thanks for the conversation,it's good to bounce ideas. I figured it would vary, but good talks non the less

dragon99 · Apr 21, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
A very complicated answer goes like this.http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/5/aafeature

And no its probably fine. Time and intensity should be considered, but...

Great article. I'd love to see more light related conversations including DLI instead of just x PAR or x hours.

Vanmo92 · Apr 21, 2017

My lights are on 14 hours a day, which probably is to long. The peak is only 3 hours though and is much lower through the rest of the day. Everything grows like mad and colors are nice, been like this for years.