What should the timer for lighting be?

[dave171]

So I currently have the fluval sea LED lights. They are on a timer for about 10 hours a day. I recently ready something about corals only get 4 hours of food light at a time. I have many corals from kenya tree to hammer corals to zoanthids. What should I set on my timer? I get home at 2 so would Like to see them but that won't be a big issue. Any help is appreciated thanks!

 

[cloak]

As long as the tank is lit up somewhere between 6-10 hours a day you should be ok. The time in which the lights go on & off is entirely up to you.

 

[Reefing Madness]

If you'd like to see your tank and its inhabitants, why not leave the lights off until you arrive home? Mine don't come on until 3pm, and go off at 11pm. No reason you need to have them on when the sun is up. Usually anywhere from 8-12 hours is what most would run them, if you run them long and start to see algae build up, cut them back.

 

[dave171]

Hmm okay I just was wondering if anything would be "better " for coral growth. But that's prob what I will do should I leave the day lights on all night (2-11) or switch it to the moon LEDs wilp they get anything out of moon LEDs and what's the minimum hours the bright day time LEDs should be on to feed the corals.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Moon lights don't do anything for the tank, thats just for veiwing, you can leave those on 24/7 if you'd like. Thats how I run mine, that way I do'nt have to worry about them being on a timer.
I'd run the LEDs at least 8 hours a day, thats my minimum. If you have a ramp timer, then most would ramp up to full power and run those for only 6 full hours, then ramp down, but if you don't then running them 8 hours minimum is good, you can always bump it up if need be.

 

[dave171]

I want want a ramp up. They sell them for 30 in Dr fosters magazine so I might get one . Cause I like how its more natural then just no light then boom light lol. But I thought running blue LEDs all night were bad so thanks for that knowledge!

 

[Reefing Madness]

If its moon lights only, those are ok to run because they don't hardly have any light, if its the normal high powe 3w LED blue lights, then no, you do not want to run those all night.