How long is your light cycle?

[chenwon54]

How long do you leave your lights on and what type of lighting do you use?

I currently run 4 x 250W MH + actinic for 9 hours with actinics on for one hour before and after MH. I have read that 12 hours would be better. What do you think?

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

I use one single 400w halide on from noon til 8.

 

[mpoletti]

I run my halides for 5 hours a day. VHO's for 10.

 

[Fishcrazy06]

I run a goofy schedule in the winter because of a break I get on my electricity. I run dual 250w DE 15K XM bulbs. The first time they run they run from noon-4 and then come on again at 9 at night until Midnight. In the summer I run my Halides from 9 at night until 2 in the morning. Unless I have company over then they come on earlier!

 

[Ike]

I'd suspect where you read 12 hours is an older book or an old school author. With the very intense lighting most use nowadays 8 hours is plenty in most cases...

Edit: If you're still using PC's, VHO, or painted white reflectors 12 hours isn't a bad idea.

 

[Reefstang]

I do 11-8

 

[mpoletti]

I run a goofy schedule in the winter because of a break I get on my electricity. I run dual 250w DE 15K XM bulbs. The first time they run they run from noon-4 and then come on again at 9 at night until Midnight. In the summer I run my Halides from 9 at night until 2 in the morning. Unless I have company over then they come on earlier!

By turning your bulbs on twice a day, you are putting more wear and tear on your bulbs and they will lose their effectivenes quicker.

 

[Fishcrazy06]

I talked to my cousin whom is an electrician and he stated it makes no difference on how many times the bulbs fire. Its more to do with the burn in time on the bulbs. He stated that if you were to turn them on and off every 5 or 10 mintues then it would be an issue!

 

[subielover]

I run t5's for 12 hours a day.

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

Menard(former owner of Reef Dweller and TOTM on RC) runs his lights in two cycles like fishcrazy06. He swears by it for his growth.

 

[Paul_N]

I run (2) 250w 5 hours per day.

 

[jnbrex]

actinic powercompacts from 9 in morning to 9 at night, and 150 watt MH's from 10-8

 

[shapermike]

t-5 or MH I have all my lights on for 6h

 

[cloakerpoked]

I run mine from 2-10. 1x250w MH

 

[Reef Pets]

I run a 10 hour cycle

 

[mpoletti]

I talked to my cousin whom is an electrician and he stated it makes no difference on how many times the bulbs fire. Its more to do with the burn in time on the bulbs. He stated that if you were to turn them on and off every 5 or 10 mintues then it would be an issue!

I guess Dr. Sanjay Joshi has no idea what he was talking about.

 

[Paul_N]

My thought would be that if 5 times on and off would be an issue with the bulbs then 2 times would also be an issue, just less of one. An issue nonetheless. JMO. I wouldn't do it, even if it meant more growth. MH bulbs are too darn expensive. I'm just giddy that I can run my bulbs for 5 hours and get twice the life out of them.....Did I just say giddy? :squigglemouth:

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

I'm just giddy that I can run my bulbs for 5 hours and get twice the life out of them.....Did I just say giddy? :squigglemouth:

Been watching too many Cindy Crosby interviews? :tongue::tongue::tongue:

 

[Paul_N]

Been watching too many Cindy Crosby interviews? :tongue::tongue::tongue:

You just had to go there....:angry: Hater!......:tongue: :hammer:

 

[nayrgaijin]

6hrs a day. On occasion I go with a no photo period for a few days to slow down the HA.

Corals don't seem to mind it when I do that. I don't like to though :/