Light time

[jpontier212]

I have an Ebay generic reef lighting. Not very expensive but does the job. My question is, to maximize the use of the light, how long should i keep it on white and how long on blue? I have zoantids in the aquarium as well.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

ramp up blue. then both at full. ramp down blue.

 

[sbash]

As SFF says, I run my blues first and last, with the whites (i.e. both channels) running for seven hours. I find that balance gives my livestock enough light, and gives me enough time to look at everything. I run the blues an hour before the whites, and continued for several hours after the whites.

A couple of important notes with light times; The fish should have 8-10 hours of proper night. i.e. no tank lights, minimal ambient lighting. Also, algae need light to grow, if you are getting blooms, it may be a good idea to limit the white lighting.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

As SFF says, I run my blues first and last, with the whites (i.e. both channels) running for seven hours. I find that balance gives my livestock enough light, and gives me enough time to look at everything. I run the blues an hour before the whites, and continued for several hours after the whites.

A couple of important notes with light times; The fish should have 8-10 hours of proper night. i.e. no tank lights, minimal ambient lighting. Also, algae need light to grow, if you are getting blooms, it may be a good idea to limit the white lighting.

+1

although, algaes also grow from blue light.

 

[FishOfHex]

I have an Ebay generic reef lighting. Not very expensive but does the job. My question is, to maximize the use of the light, how long should i keep it on white and how long on blue? I have zoantids in the aquarium as well.

Start with blue lights only on for about an hour either ramp or just have them on. I personally like to have my white on for 10 hours and blues for 12 but if you end up fighting algae as some new tanks do you can lower that time down to 6-8 hours white and 8-10 blue. In the end do what works for your life style.