Lighting Schedule (on/off only)

[RandomReefer1]

I am currently using the stock lights on my Aquatop Recife 24g, and just added my first two coral (GSP and Zoa) last weekend. First tank as well so still learning quite a bit every day. The stock lights have two flip switches for blue/white spectrums, so, I don’t have any ramp time or intensity etc. but I do have the lights on a timer. Right now I have both blue/white switched on.

Both corals have been closing at night, which seems to be standard, but tonight I noticed the GSP closed prior to the tank lights going off. I was doing 10a - 6p, but with work hours I decided to push it back 2 hours, so now the lights go off around the same time it’s completely dark outside. I’m interested to see if it continues, and if it does, whether it starts closing with the natural light from outside (which is pretty limited but the tank is in my living room), is completely random, etc.

So, no specific questions, but curious if I am doing anything wrong. I also did move my powerhead forward in the tank today, so that could be related but I thought the flow looked good after adjusting. The video below is from after moving it.

If anyone has thoughts/comments on acclimation, light schedule, flow, etc. feel free to share with this noob.

 

[blaxsun]

8 hours is probably good if it's just an on/off schedule.

 

[Miami Reef]

Agreed with @blaxsun.

I believe ramping is just for human visual benefit. T5’s for example, have a very long successful track record and it didn’t have ramping back in the day.

@Big E has a gorgeous SPS tank using T5’s 8 hours on and off. No ramping.