What time are lights ON? What time do lights go OFF?

KingTideCorals · Apr 28, 2021

This is something that has interested me with other hobbyists systems! Sometimes due to the location of the tank there will be a different schedule to fit with the activity in that area. Or you work an odd schedule and want to be able to see your system with lights on so you run to your schedule? Or are you running a double light cycle schedule during your days?

This is a fun topic and discussion! For my lagoon lights start ramping on at 7 and go off at 7, where as my macroalgae tank turns on at 11 and goes off at 8! Its fun to see what works depending on the space or tank!

What is your timeframe for your lights and how has it benefited you?

NanoLuke · Apr 28, 2021

For my lights, the entire schedule is 14 hours, but not including ramp up times it is 11.5 hours. However, I am new to the hobby and so I am glad that this was mentioned because I am worried that this is too long. Does any one think this to be the case?

mdb_talon · Apr 28, 2021

My light schedule is 11am to 10pm with peak intensity about 4 hours from 1pm to 5pm.

mdb_talon · Apr 28, 2021

NanoLuke said:
For my lights, the entire schedule is 14 hours, but not including ramp up times it is 11.5 hours. However, I am new to the hobby and so I am glad that this was mentioned because I am worried that this is too long. Does any one think this to be the case?

Its partially depends on intensity and personal preference. Personally i run into issues longer than about 10 or 11 hours. Even then half of that time is either all blue channel or blue with just low intensity whites.

Having said that. If it works and no algae issues stick with what you doing.

Townes_Van_Camp · Apr 28, 2021

I work nights. That means my fish work nights. They get a 1 hour ramp up and one hour ramp down, 9 hours full lighting with AB+ schedule and I leave some blue on during the tanks “night”.
That said, at high noon my bedroom is pitch black.

Azedenkae · Apr 28, 2021

Here's mine.

schuby · Apr 28, 2021

3pm to 11pm, same itensity. I want lights on when I get home from work until I go to bed.

JustAnotherReefer · Apr 30, 2021

17 hours

I don't run any whites and have the greens and reds at 12%

vetteguy53081 · Apr 30, 2021

Mine start at 7am and off by 10:50p

mike550 · Apr 30, 2021

Ten hours with four hours of ”max” settings in the middle, and a three hour ramp up and down. I’m using the AB+ light profile on Reefbreeders V2+

James_O · Apr 30, 2021

I don't have a fancy app or anything, so I just turn my lights on at 7:00 AM, and turn them off at 9:00 PM - a 14 hour day.

(That may change once I get live corals though...)

Low Tech Reefer · Apr 30, 2021

Mine are ramping up at 10AM and ramping down at 9PM.

MaxTremors · Apr 30, 2021

My total photo period is from 7am to 7pm. It ramps up for 3hours and then ramps down for 3 hours, so it’s got 6 hours at peak light.

MaxTremors · Apr 30, 2021

James_O said:
I don't have a fancy app or anything, so I just turn my lights on at 7:00 AM, and turn them off at 9:00 PM - a 14 hour day.

(That may change once I get live corals though...)

You should at least get a timer, consistency is important. Also, 14 hours at full intensity is a lot, can also be stressful for fish (not just corals).

Years and years ago, as I was getting into reef tanks, I was getting rid of my fresh water tanks and gave a little ten gallon tank with a couple little puffers in it to this friend of mine. After a couple months she said the fish were acting weird and had stopped eating. So I went over there and they were sort of hiding up under where the power filter hung over the tank. They were all pale and looked awful. I tested the water and did a bunch of trouble shooting and couldn’t figure out what the problem was.

So then I asked her how many hours she was leaving the light on, and she says ‘wait, I’m supposed to turn it off?’ The light had been on since the day she took them! I couldn’t believe someone could be so dumb! So I told her to turn the lights out for several days and then came back and put it on a on timer. It took a few weeks for the puffers to look normal again. Imagine having to sit under bright lights for two months straight (and not having eyelids!).

OREGONIC · May 1, 2021

Using 2 Kessil AP9X’s over my IM INT 112, roughly 36”x36” cube. Lights begin to ramp up from off at 11:30 AM. My peak lighting is between 1:45 PM and 8:00 PM with a spike at 3:45 PM. From 8:00 PM they ramp down and slowly turn more blue till 11:45 PM when they shot off.

Gup · May 1, 2021

Total time frame is 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Blue lights go on for 45 minutes to mimic Dawn. Then full spectrum lights on till 7:15 p.m. Finish up with blue lights for the last 45 minutes

R-balljunkie · May 1, 2021

9 to 9 seems reasonable if you have natural light in the house. Should start to dim out around 7:40 or so.

ZoWhat · May 1, 2021

I have a controversial outlook on this....

After doing some deep dive research about lighting cycles and coral growth I found several studies that indicated that corals max out the photosynthesis process at 4hrs max. At the 5th hr, their ability to utilize light for growth greatly diminishes.

So with that said, for over a year now I have two 4hrs light cycles:

8am to noon, 100% blues and 30% whites
* Noon to 6pm, 5% blues only
6pm to 10pm, 100% blues and 10% whites
10pm to midnight, 5% blues only
Midnight to 8am, blackout

* the key point is during this midday low light, corals have maxed out their photosynthetic potential and im NOT cooking the LR with light growing ALGAE !!!!

Over the year I've been doing this, great coral growth. Fish have fully adapted.

I have no plans to change what I'm doing.

.

CanuckReefer · May 1, 2021

LED's ramp at 11am, T5's on at 2pm, T5's Off at midnight, LEDs ramp down till 2am..... I like my fish awake lol. In all honestly this imo mimics a summer schedule lighting wise. Works for me.