Lighting schedule - Viparspectra 165w

[fishman101]

Hey guys,

What should my lighting schedule be for a 2.5 ft x 1.5 ft x 1.5 ft (42 gallon) tank with a Viparspectra 165w? The tank is currently cycling and does not have corals yet. Should my blues and whites come on at different times and how many hours a day? I currently just have whites and blues set at 5%.

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[rfgonzo]

Personal preference. However most have blues come on first for 15 min to 1 hour or more before whites. As far as hours a day it will change as your tank matures. After cycle I would keep it on the less hour side (like 4 to 6 hours) on full light and work your way up to 10 to 12 hours.

 

[Tahoe61]

I run blues at 85%, no whites. Tank going on 5 months, IM 40 gallon. Eight hours.

 

[fishman101]

Personal preference. However most have blues come on first for 15 min to 1 hour or more before whites. As far as hours a day it will change as your tank matures. After cycle I would keep it on the less hour side (like 4 to 6 hours) on full light and work your way up to 10 to 12 hours.

Thanks! So if I have my blues come on 1 hour before my whites, do they turn off 1 hour earlier than whites as well?

 

[fishman101]

I run blues at 85%, no whites. Tank going on 5 months, IM 40 gallon. Eight hours.

Cool tank! What percentages were the lights running at when you first started using them?

 

[rfgonzo]

Thanks! So if I have my blues come on 1 hour before my whites, do they turn off 1 hour earlier than whites as well?

Actually most would have them turn off after the whites. So lets say Blue on at 9 am then whites on at 10 am. Then whites off at 7 pm and blues off at 8pm.

 

[Aqua Man]

Blue on, then both on, then just blue at the end of cycle.
i have that light, it’s powerful. accidentally cooked some coral with it.

 

[fishman101]

I'm brand new to the saltwater side of things so might be a silly question - Why do we run blue before and after the whites?

 

[Tahoe61]

Cool tank! What percentages were the lights running at when you first started using them?

When I fired the tank up 10% white 80% blue. Ramped it up after 4 months. White equals algae in newer tanks.

 

[fishman101]

Also, I plan on keeping soft corals and perhaps a couple of LPS like duncans and euphyllias. What percentage should I run my lights at to start out and what should be my end goal so I don't burn any coral?

 

[fishman101]

When I fired the tank up 10% white 80% blue. Ramped it up after 4 months. White equals algae in newer tanks.

Glad to know! I'll run the white even lower.

 

[Aqua Man]

Don’t need the blue on first, both channels can both come on at once. It’s just nice to see the corals in the blue only. Benefits of leds. Some corals may like the slow ramp up also.

 

[rfgonzo]

Also, I plan on keeping soft corals and perhaps a couple of LPS like duncans and euphyllias. What percentage should I run my lights at to start out and what should be my end goal so I don't burn any coral?

None of the coral listed will require high par. Medium to low will be fine. Lets say under 250 par to 100 par

 

[rfgonzo]

I'm brand new to the saltwater side of things so might be a silly question - Why do we run blue before and after the whites?

Cuz it's the newer fad. Like the BRS post (Trendy or Timeless). People nowadays unfortunately need to see super bright colors like chartreuse to be happy and justify the cost they paid for a pea size frag.

 

[fishman101]

Don’t need the blue on first, both channels can both come on at once. It’s just nice to see the corals in the blue only. Benefits of leds. Some corals may like the slow ramp up also.

Ah that makes sense! Thanks!

 

[fishman101]

Cuz it's the newer fad. Like the BRS post (Trendy or Timeless). People nowadays unfortunately need to see super bright colors like chartreuse to be happy and justify the cost they paid for a pea size frag.

Haha thanks for clearing that up.

 

[JMAwoodworks]

I have the 300 W on my 40 Gallon breeder and I started off with the Blues @ 8 and the whites @ 1.I might be on the low side but my lights are only 5" off the water because of the canopy. Taking it very slow. Im running the blues 10 hrs and the whites 7 1/2 hrs