4 on 8 off light cycle

[Steveb]

Was reading a book and the author suggests using a 4 on 8 off light cycle as one method of growing corals faster for propagation. Has anyone used this method and if so did you see positive/negative results?

Thanks,

 

[mike_cmu04]

It would be interesting to try and see if it makes a difference. my guess is it wont make a noticable difference

 

[cephalotus]

It speeds up plant propigation, I would assume it would help with coral prop. I have heard of someone haveing good results with zoo propigation, cant remember were I heard it.

 

[Steveb]

Yeah it is supposed to increase zooxanthellae production. The article was from the "Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology Volume 298, Issue 1, 7 Jan 2004, pgs 35-48"

 

[muttley000]

I have read it can get organisms that reproduce seasonally to do so more frequently, interesting to see what it would do for growth. If someone had the means (I don't) to plumb a couple of identical tank setups to the same sump and try an experiment I would love to know the results.

 

[Steveb]

If I can ever get everything setup I volunteer.

 

[Mikeygo1]

I have been running 4 on 8 off on my T5'S and 2 on and 10 off on my MH's, and the results seem to be going well. The only thing that I dont like is that it limits the time of day I can check on my tank.

 

[Steveb]

Why such a low amount on the MH? Did you try 4 on 8 off on MH? I was planning on
something like this....
10pm - 5:59am off
6am - 9:59am on
10am - 5:59pm off
6pm - 9:59pm off

 

[Kbra84]

Sounds very interesting. I've seen a lot of talk of it helping with zoas, what about SPS?

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

 

[Steveb]

Why such a low amount on the MH? Did you try 4 on 8 off on MH? I was planning on
something like this....
10pm - 5:59am off
6am - 9:59am on
10am - 5:59pm off
6pm - 9:59pm off

should be...
10pm - 5:59am off
6am - 9:59am on
10am - 5:59pm off
6pm - 9:59pm on

 

[Kbra84]

I have been running 4 on 8 off on my T5'S and 2 on and 10 off on my MH's, and the results seem to be going well. The only thing that I dont like is that it limits the time of day I can check on my tank.

Do you have a variety of Corals types under this lighting program? Any of them seem to have negative effects?

 

[Steveb]

Yeah Mikeygo1 tell us more!

 

[Steveb]

Here's the paper...

http://people.oregonstate.edu/~weisv/pdfs/Yacobovitch et al. 04.pdf

 

[diverdick]

Was reading a book and the author suggests using a 4 on 8 off light cycle as one method of growing corals faster for propagation. Has anyone used this method and if so did you see positive/negative results?

Thanks,

How bout we start with what book you read this in?

This thread is lacking all but curious....maybe this could inspire more real talk.

Just sayin

 

[Steveb]

Practical Coral Farming by Miguel Tolosa pg. 109 - but there is not a lot of info in the book on it and hence the reason for the post.

The scientific article posted earlier is where it is drawn from.

 

[diverdick]

Got it, I plan on reading and possibly trying an experiment with one of my frag systems.

TY

 

[wakeboardgeek]

Interesting topic and I'd like to follow.

I imagine with MH, with firing twice as often...the bulb lifespan wouldn't be as long.

 

[xroads]

Why not go 8 on 4 off?

 

[stoneyj33]

8 on 4 off would bleach or kill most corals unless you give them low amounts of intensity.

Imo there is always a balance of light intensity and light duration to achieve best results. 4 on 8 off would work but the next step would be to figure out optimal par levels at that light cycle.

 

[Steveb]

Interesting topic and I'd like to follow.

I imagine with MH, with firing twice as often...the bulb lifespan wouldn't be as long.

My thoughts exactly which is why I want to know if it really works. If it does and there is a discernible increase in growth rate it would be worth it. If not then I don't want to be double striking the halides every day and shortening the life.