Mars Aqua lighting schedule

[jaxteller007]

Yes, if it does not have a built in timer, I used a power strip with a built in timer to turn them on and off. But any basic timer will work

I think that's the way I will have to go. I know the marsaqua aren't the best but they are better than what I was using and with the money I've put into swapping over to a sump setup (after starting with a cannister filter, then HOB filter, then HOB overflow with sump) to now a reef ready tank with sump, I couldn't really put a ton of money into lighting now. If i can just do basic timers for the whites and blues then that should work for now.

So blues on first (seems like most people are saying around 70-75%) then about an hour later whites (at around 20-30%). The at night whites off first and an hour or two later blues off.

 

[jaxteller007]

Also it seems like people talked about removing some of the lenses? that confuses me lol

 

[Crabs McJones]

Also it seems like people talked about removing some of the lenses? that confuses me lol

Yes, alot of people claim that the lenses that they put over the LED's focus the light to much, so removing the lenses allows the light to spread out and blend more

 

[jaxteller007]

Yes, alot of people claim that the lenses that they put over the LED's focus the light to much, so removing the lenses allows the light to spread out and blend more

Think I'll need to stay away from that until I learn more. Time to look for timers.

 

[wesman42]

Yes, alot of people claim that the lenses that they put over the LED's focus the light to much, so removing the lenses allows the light to spread out and blend more

I'd put a disclaimer here if you remove the lenses the lights could be more susceptible to salt infiltration, possibly leading to a dangerous short.

Had it happen to me...half of the entire unit was smoking. Took it apart and there was salt in/on/around the LEDs. I didn't have it but maybe 10" off the water though.

I returned it and got a different one, and it's still working to this day but with lenses lol!

 

[jaxteller007]

I'd put a disclaimer here if you remove the lenses the lights could be more susceptible to salt infiltration, possibly leading to a dangerous short.

Had it happen to me...half of the entire unit was smoking. Took it apart and there was salt in/on/around the LEDs. I didn't have it but maybe 10" off the water though.

I returned it and got a different one, and it's still working to this day but with lenses lol!

Yea I only have one piece of coral right now (a Duncan) so I think I'm going to keep the lenses on haha.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'd put a disclaimer here if you remove the lenses the lights could be more susceptible to salt infiltration, possibly leading to a dangerous short.

Had it happen to me...half of the entire unit was smoking. Took it apart and there was salt in/on/around the LEDs. I didn't have it but maybe 10" off the water though.

I returned it and got a different one, and it's still working to this day but with lenses lol!

Depended on if yours has the glass cover over them this is true!

 

[Flippers4pups]

I run them. 3 165w units over my tank. I use two household timers, one for blue channel and one for the white channel.

Pulling the lenses to get better light spread is easy. No risk of salt intrusion because of the glass.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I love mine.

 

[jaxteller007]

I love mine.

How do you have yours set up as far as timing and intensity?

 

[Flippers4pups]

How do you have yours set up as far as timing and intensity?

Blue at 60%, white at 40%.

9 hours total, blues 9 hours, white at 7 hours.

 

[Ashley Kekua]

I have my Blues at 100 percent and my whites at 50 percent no ramping for 12 hours/day. is that okay?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have my Blues at 100 percent and my whites at 50 percent no ramping for 12 hours/day. is that okay?

That is a lot of light for a long time in my opinion.

If you tell us what size tank and how high above the tank the light is we can make some good reccomendations.