what lights to use when?

Polishpower · Nov 13, 2013

Hello
I just got a biocube 14 I want to set up a reef tank with a couple fish. I know it comes with all the lights I need but their are three different kinds. What lights do I use when? I have a coralife 24watt actinic, coralife 10000k and 2 LEDs.
Soon I will be getting 2 more strips of LEDs off of media basket. Do I need anything else?

tkershne · Nov 13, 2013

If you want to keep coral I would suggest to upgrade from the stock lighting.

If you are interested in anything Do It Yourself, I would go with a Rapid LED kit. I love electronics, soldering, wiring, testing, etc. so I had a ton of fun building my two units for my 75 gallon.

Solderless Biocube 14 Retrofit Kit with two Dimmable drivers - Rapid LED

If you don't upgrade, you will need to get a lighting timer and keep them on a specific schedule. I don't have the biocube so I won't be much help as to what others have found to be successful.

Reefing Madness · Nov 14, 2013

The 2 LEDs are moon lights, used at night.
Actinics used 2 hours before and 2 hours after the whte lights come on. They are also at the same time your white lights are on.
WHite lights (10k) are used anywhere from 8-12 hours.