250W Iwasaki 6500K photo period needed for Zoas

[edsreef]

Well I decided to use my old reef light after all. It's a Hamilton 2x250W Metal Halide & 2x110W VHO fixture. Since I'm using the Iwasaki 6500K lamps, which are PAR monsters, I'm thinking I could reduce the MH photo period since I'm only planning to keep fish and some zoas.

For those familiar with the Iwaski 6500K's and keeping zoas, can you recommend a MH and VHO (URI Super Actinics) schedule that would work? For a reduced MH photo period I could handle not having the VHO actinic supplementation if that could work. Do you think the extended VHO actinic only time, without the MH would be too much?

I'm planning on a 12 hour total time period. Actinics on first, then MH's for X hours (with or without VHO actinics?), MH's off, then VHO actinics off.

My tank is 90gal 48x18x24".

Thoughts?

 

[Reef Bass]

Keeping only zoos and fish you could get by with less light and a shorter total photoperiod. IMHO, a total photo period of at least 8 hours (8 vho, 6 mh) could be sufficient.

Myself, I'd probably go with a 10 hour total time period, 10 for the VHOs and maybe 8 with the MHs on the VHO on, MH on, MH off, VHO off schedule you are planning. That is a lot of light and zoos could get by with less, but, again IMHO, there's a difference between "sufficient to survive / get by" and "is optimal". I'd be keeping more than zoos and fish with that light but whatever floats your boat.

 

[edsreef]

I'd be keeping more than zoos and fish with that light but whatever floats your boat.

Thanks for your response.

Agreed, it's more light than I need for what I want to keep. I may still opt to sell it and get a less powerful light.