How long to leave lights on?

[devildog999]

Just a quick question, how long should one leave their lights on for, I've been going off what my LFS told me about a year ago but it just doesn't seem like they are on long enough.

My Blue Actinic (sp) are on from 0800am to 6pm and my daylight lights are on from 1000am to 4pm. 10 hours total with lights on seems a couple hours too short.

What would you guys recommend?

 

[BigCountry74]

most of us run the blues for 10-12, whites for 8-10

run your whites from 9-5

 

[devildog999]

I like that a lot better. Was thinking of what you suggested and doing the blues from 7 - 7. To me that mimics a good sunrise lighting before a nice 10 hr daylight lighting with a nice sunset lighting.

Thank you much

 

[jnjsad]

Does this schedule differ between LEDs, T5, etc? I was wondering the same question...I run mine (LED) from 9-9 (blue) and 11-7 (white). The moonlights...are they suppose to be on 'ALL" night...or just a few hours before/after the blues come on/go out?

 

[iadubber]

I've been wondering the same. I run my 12 RB Cree leds on my 40breeder from noon to 9pm and my MH is on from 2pm to 730pm. Doesn't seem like long enough but I'm getting some algae now so I'm trying a new MH bulb.

 

[devildog999]

I have T5s. 48 inches, 2 bulbs each

 

[BigCountry74]

the moonlights are not really necessary. i run mine 2 hours after the blues cut off, and that's only for cosmetics to be honest. just to maybe get the crabs to come out.

 

[aandfsoccr04]

I run my actinics for twelve hours and my daylight halides for 8 hours.

 

[antbreon]

i have mine on later the first one comes on at 1 and goes off at 11 so they are on when i am home

 

[Voxboy]

Actinics come on at 10am - 11pm
ATI blue plus come on at 12:00pm - 10pm
Daylights and Fiji purple 2pm - 8pm