Can daily lighting be split into 2 periods?

[JoshInSF]

Hi All,

If I want to have my XR15s light the tank for 8 hours per day, is there any issues with having that 8 hours split between my morning and evening? As it is now I have light in the AM when I'm here and can see the tank. When I come home, it's dark. Any drawbacks to a split?

 

[luvreefs23]

Not very natural

 

[Ron Reefman]

Maybe?

Coral's zooxanthellae need about an hour of strong light to jump start the process of photosynthesis. Then it will produce food for itself and sugars and other byproduct food for the coral for about 4 to 6 hours. Then it shuts down whether there is good light or not. It's a long term genetic clock. It also needs a 'rest' period between photosynthesis sessions.

So two four hour sessions of light may or may not be an issue for how well the zooxanthellae can do photosynthesis. It's not as long as it could be and the 'down time between session may or may not be long enough for the zooxanthellae to cycle.

Good luck.