looking for lighting advice

Msamazing · Aug 2, 2019

I recently set up a 45 gallon reef tank with live rock. I just added some snails and a few hermit crabs today. I am using the Prime HD light and wanted to know what you recommend for ramp up time and how many hours between sunset and sunrise. I just set up my aquarium 2 weeks ago.

AiKkz · Aug 2, 2019

On at 9am ramp up for 1 hour then from 8pm ramp down until 9pm then off.

redfishbluefish · Aug 2, 2019

Here's my opinion on lighting schedules. The majority of corals are in and about the equator that has a 12 hour day and 12 hours of night. So pick a 12 hour time slot that works for you as far as viewing your tank. For me, I picked 10AM to 10PM. Realize the first and last hour of this "day" are lower lights.

Here are my specifics, and realize I have basic Black Boxes that do not have ramp up/down capability.

Sunrise (Moonlights) ----------- 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 (Moonlights) -------------1 hr --- 9PM-10PM

The sunrise and sunset (moonlights) are two, four foot IceCap LED strips.....fairly bright.

Coralreefer1 · Aug 2, 2019

It would depend on what corals you plan on having! If you are not going to have corals, then there isn’t really any sense of urgency or a need to have a light routine, other than having them on while you are home to enjoy your tank.

Msamazing · Aug 2, 2019

AiKkz said:
On at 9am ramp up for 1 hour then from 8pm ramp down until 9pm then off.

Coralreefer1 said:
It would depend on what corals you plan on having! If you are not going to have corals, then there isn’t really any sense of urgency or a need to have a light routine, other than having them on while you are home to enjoy your tank.

So I don’t need the light now for the crabs and snails?

Msamazing · Aug 2, 2019

redfishbluefish said:
Here's my opinion on lighting schedules. The majority of corals are in and about the equator that has a 12 hour day and 12 hours of night. So pick a 12 hour time slot that works for you as far as viewing your tank. For me, I picked 10AM to 10PM. Realize the first and last hour of this "day" are lower lights.

Here are my specifics, and realize I have basic Black Boxes that do not have ramp up/down capability.

Sunrise (Moonlights) ----------- 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 (Moonlights) -------------1 hr --- 9PM-10PM

The sunrise and sunset (moonlights) are two, four foot IceCap LED strips.....fairly bright.

Thanks for that.