Optimal led times

vinnyvin · Sep 7, 2016

Hi all just wondering how long do people have their leds on for optimal growth of soft corals but does not allow quick algea growth I have evergrow it2060 leds on my tank my nitrates are below 10ppm and my phosphate is between 0 & 00.5
I have just changed my times from 10 hours down to 8. Be great to hear how long people have their on for? Also should I raise the height of my lights from the tank?

mcmunn93 · Sep 7, 2016

Hi I have radion led and its set to sunrise at 10am then sun down at 7pm and that seems enough for me.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 7, 2016

Hi!

vinnyvin said:
Also should I raise the height of my lights from the tank?

Is the light covering the tank evenly? Hits the sides? Evenly lit? looking at the pic you could raise it to get more on the sides.

You'll hate this but, my light comes on at 6am. it goes off at 930PM.

But....it starts very low with blues and ends the same way. The peak photo period is only eight hours. Very much like a summer day.
Light doesnt grow algae. Many species of algae will grow in very low light AND very low nutrients. But if you limited it like that the corals could suffer too. The best to keep bad algaes out is to remove them manually, don't over feed, and have a solid nutrient export method. Im a refugium guy my self.
Im also a lux meter guy to measure light intensity. Its similar to par(and intensity is a major component of par), but cheaper.

For lower light corals, (depending on the depth of the tank Id start at 18,000 to 25000 lux as a starting peak.) the moon and night light rarely get above 8000 lux during the ramp cycle. in fact the super cool night POP is on for two hours at my house and is less than 1000 lux.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-upgrade-with-a-lux-meter-saltyfilmfolks.248417/

on both of my tanks I run at 40,000 lux, just to compare.

vindogg · Sep 7, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
Hi!

Is the light covering the tank evenly? Hits the sides? Evenly lit? looking at the pic you could raise it to get more on the sides.

id say the sides of the tank are lit but probably could do with a bit more light. i was thinking to raise them some more just wanted someone else to give me some input on it which you have done and confirmed it for me. thank you for that.

wow you have your lights on for a long time i may consider this if what you are saying is correct in terms of algae.

I currently don't have anything to measure the intensity of my light but i will look into investing in one.

Unfortunately i don't have a sump as such, mine is in the back of the tank. i was going to grow some cheato but i dont think it would be much use as the compartment i was going to use is 7" in length and 4" across so as u can imagine it wont be exporting many nutrients? however on the other hand someone once used the expression when i asked about my idea of doing this, one finger in a pie is better than none at all! would you agree with this and is it worth doing?

vindogg · Sep 7, 2016

id say the sides of the tank are lit but probably could do with a bit more light. i was thinking to raise them some more just wanted someone else to give me some input on it which you have done and confirmed it for me. thank you for that.

wow you have your lights on for a long time

i may consider this if what you are saying is correct in terms of algae.

I currently don't have anything to measure the intensity of my light but i will look into investing in one.

Unfortunately i don't have a sump as such, mine is in the back of the tank. i was going to grow some cheato but i dont think it would be much use as the compartment i was going to use is 7" in length and 4" across so as u can imagine it wont be exporting many nutrients? however on the other hand someone once used the expression when i asked about my idea of doing this, one finger in a pie is better than none at all! would you agree with this and is it worth doing?

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 7, 2016

vindogg said:
id say the sides of the tank are lit but probably could do with a bit more light. i was thinking to raise them some more just wanted someone else to give me some input on it which you have done and confirmed it for me. thank you for that.

wow you have your lights on for a long time i may consider this if what you are saying is correct in terms of algae.

I currently don't have anything to measure the intensity of my light but i will look into investing in one.

Unfortunately i don't have a sump as such, mine is in the back of the tank. i was going to grow some cheato but i dont think it would be much use as the compartment i was going to use is 7" in length and 4" across so as u can imagine it wont be exporting many nutrients? however on the other hand someone once used the expression when i asked about my idea of doing this, one finger in a pie is better than none at all! would you agree with this and is it worth doing?

all of my smaller tanks up to 30 gal had hob fuhes on them . And yes there is a noticeable difference. 4x4 x 8 hob

jsker · Sep 7, 2016

vinnyvin · Sep 7, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
all of my smaller tanks up to 30 gal had hob fuhes on them . And yes there is a noticeable difference. 4x4 x 8 hob[/QUOTE

super my tank is 30 gal im going to work on getting this set up. thanks !!

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 7, 2016

This is the stupid cheap way to do it.

https://www.amazon.com/Marina-Hang-...8&qid=1473286074&sr=8-1&keywords=hob+breeding
it uses an air pump, and oxygen is always good. you can also use a tiny 12v pump too.
https://www.amazon.com/DC12V-Submer...id=1473286209&sr=8-27&keywords=12v+water+pump
youll probably need a small light for it. led strip something little.

vinnyvin · Sep 8, 2016

Aww great! I have a breeding box just like this & and a small old power head. Just need to get a light. Thanks! Really appreciated. Can't wait to get to work on this now

RobBaglieri · Sep 8, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
all of my smaller tanks up to 30 gal had hob fuhes on them . And yes there is a noticeable difference. 4x4 x 8 hob

What type of HOB do you have? How does the water get in and out? I have the IM nuvo 20. I tried to turn the back sump into a fuge, bad idea 8>( nothing grew and my return pump got clogged up with chaeto. Very sad.

RobBaglieri · Sep 8, 2016

jsker said:

Why UV and V so low?

jsker · Sep 8, 2016

RobBaglieri said:
Why UV and V so low?

No reason, the setting works well. If it not broke do not fix it

happyhourhero · Sep 8, 2016

My blues go at 80% from 11:30am to 9:30pm. My whites go from 1:00pm to 8:00pm.

vinnyvin · Sep 8, 2016

RobBaglieri said:
What type of HOB do you have? How does the water get in and out? I have the IM nuvo 20. I tried to turn the back sump into a fuge, bad idea 8>( nothing grew and my return pump got clogged up with chaeto. Very sad.

i think it like an overflow, thats how the water gets in & its then split into 4 compartments i have my skimmer in the first my media in the second and then live rock in the 3rd and the fourth is empty with just my water change tap and my return pump. the tank is fluval M90, here's a picture that i got off the internet to give you an idea

vinnyvin · Sep 8, 2016

here's another

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 8, 2016

RobBaglieri said:
What type of HOB do you have? How does the water get in and out? I have the IM nuvo 20. I tried to turn the back sump into a fuge, bad idea 8>( nothing grew and my return pump got clogged up with chaeto. Very sad.

Works just like a Real HOB refugium. https://www.google.com/search?q=hob...CigD&biw=1920&bih=955#tbm=isch&q=hob+refugium

The cheap one, comes in 2 sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/Marina-Hang-...F8&qid=1473352106&sr=8-1&keywords=hob+breeder

https://www.google.com/search?q=hob...mIDPAhWEWT4KHVrFDEkQ_AUICigD&biw=1920&bih=955