Photoperiod Question / Opinion / Experiences

[bige11]

I have a question regarding photoperiod, and think it will also spark a good discussion. I currently have 3 250 W Metal Halide Bulbs and 2 400 Metal Halide bulbs over 8.5 foot tank. All are currently 10K. Each are on from 11am - Midnight. I just purchased 2 400W 14K bulbs (for coral color and overall look), and I am going to replace the 250W bulbs too (and I can't decide between 20K and 14K on these, although Im leaning towards 14K). My question is what my photoperiod should be. I am thinking that I should do 1 250 halide at noon, the other 2 halides at 2, the 400W bulbs at 4, 400W off at 9, the 2 halides off at 11, and the final halide off at 12. What do you think? My ideal viewing time is between 5pm and midnight. I am more concerned about ideal coral health and color. Anyone know a great article on this? Thanks for all comments.

 

[bige11]

?????

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

While running halides (if you keep up with bulb replacement) they really only need to be ran between 4-6 hours for great coral growth and color. I used to run 8-10 hours, etc., and changed to shorter periods after talking with other veteran reefers back in the day and noticed little if any difference, except in my power bill

You can stagger them on/off however you want.

 

[Paul_N]

I always in the past ran my MH lights (2) 250w 14k for 8 to 10 hours. I started reading about people cutting it way back and I gave it a shot played with different lengths and now run mine MH from 3pm till 8pm for 5 hours and run my (2) T5 actinics from 10am-10pm. I still get great growth.

 

[benny z]

i run 4 250w 20k halides over my tank for 6 hours.

 

[droblack]

My mhs run about 4.5 hours a day currently. Might bump it up to 5 or 6. The rest of the day is led or T5 supplementation.

 

[MikeB]

Actinics: 12 hours
MH: 8 Hours

 

[bige11]

A much shorter time is the concensus. However, how do you see your fish and corals? I would like to be able to view the tank from 5pm - midnight. Should I just cut the bulbs on at 5pm? I don't have any other supplemental light, is there a good setup (T5 maybe) for viewing the fish when my halides are off?