Ideal lighting schedule?

[rob020880]

Hello,

I am running two 250 watt DE Geismann 14.5k metal halides along with four 24 watt actinics. I am also using a controller to run the lights.

I was wondering what the ideal lighting schedule should be? I have begun to keep sps and want to figure out what others are doing?

 

[xJake]

This is what I've seen on most tanks
Actinics: 10hrs-12hrs
Metal halide: 8hrs-10hrs

Play around with the schedule a bit and see what gets you the best growth without causing excessive algae growth.

 

[downhillbiker]

i run my actinics 1 hour before halides

halides for 7 hours with actinics

actinics only for 2 more hours

actinics dont do much, just for looks.

blue moon LED's 24/7

 

[rob020880]

Is 7 hours for the halides enough?

 

[Davidl919]

7 hours is Fine. Everyone has different opinions on times. I say anything above 5 hours is great. I know a biologist that feeds his tank with just two hours in the summer and he has an awesome tank where the sps grows up to the surface.

 

[downhillbiker]

i run 7 hours right now because i have many new corals and dont want to light shock them. i was planning on bumping up to 8 hours, but the corals are doing so well i think i will stay here for a while.