Any reason to vary light patterns?

[schiavonir]

I have my lights (10k and actinic) on timers which have the capability to do different programs on different days. My question is, is there any reason vary the light patterns - for example, on Tuesdays, it's blue all day, on Wednesdays all lights are on for 8 hours, and Thursday all lights are on for 12 hours, etc.

Is there any benefit/detriment to the corals? I have only softies.

In the wild, the sun/weather is varied, so it would seem to make sense, but some people also make an argument for creating a regular cycle.

Opinions?

 

[schiavonir]

^bump

 

[Pufferpunk]

Sorry if I'm hijacking here but I have a similar Q about moonlights. I have a dimmer on them. I leave the dimmer on high & then turn it down low before I go to bed, which could be anywhere between midnight & 2am. I suppose the moonlight would be same as daylight, being effected by cloud cover & would vary just like daylight.

 

[pk1]

I don't think it would hurt your corals, but I think going all blue all day may be a little extreme. I was thinking of flipping off my halides for a little while on my tank, maybe 20 minutes or so at varied times during the day. Reefs do get breaks from constant intense lighting from clouds etc, etc. IMO anything we can do to mirror nature a little closer can't be bad.
PK

 

[pondfrog]

I agree with Patrick,
turning off the MH in the middle of the day randomly for a while seems to be a good idea and would appear to mimic a natural day. I have heard of many people doing this with no ill effects, but I can't say anyone has claimed incredible results either!
Steve

 

[pk1]

Some good things that may coincide with turning off a few lights for a little while--reduced photosynthesis = lower O2 production = lower PH ?? May help for those of us that have a high spike in PH toward the end of our intense lighting schedule. Temp breaks? Electricity? That may be stretching it