Kessil A360, Apex Schedule advice

[KenAugustine]

Wanted to see what everyone thought of this Intensity/Color and Schedule. Im doing a mixed reef.

Intensity

Int_Sunr
Ramp 45
15 - 50

Int_Day
Ramp 30
50 - 75

Int_Nigh
ramp 180
75 - 0

If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then Int_Day
If Time 17:01 to 21:00 Then Int_Nigh

-----------------------------------------------------------

ColorSun
Ramp 40
35-50

ColorDay
Ramp 10
50-75

ColorEve
Ramp 180
75-0

If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then ColorSun
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then ColorDay
If Time 17:01 to 21:00 Then ColorEve

 

[minus9]

I run my kessil's on a basic schedule, based on a 12hr cycle. 3hr ramp up to my peak intensity, hold for 6hrs, then ramp down for 3hrs.
Intensity starts at 0% ramps to 70% (my peak), ramps down to 0%. Color follows the same as intensity, but I only go to 25% color max (I supplement with T5's, coral+).
I tend to keep lighting simple, no need for storms or spectrum changes throughout the day. Just use the lighting wizard in fusion and be done with it, no reason to write a program. Just my two pennies.

 

[eder10986]

I also like to run a 12 hour light cycle reaching 65% and ramping up through several hours.

 

[KenAugustine]

If I am not supplementing, how do you recommend the coloring?

 

[minus9]

Honestly I wouldn't go above 50% color, but that's me. I started out ramping up to 85% color, then over time have changed to my current settings. If I wasn't adding T5's, I would probably be in the 35% - 40% range. Again, color is mostly preference, but I do find that my corals responded more to the lower settings. Another benefit of running the color at a lower %, is a higher PUR rating. Remember, make changes slowly, even color. General rule, 5% a month. If you change your intensity, wait a couple weeks, then change the color and vice versa.

 

[KenAugustine]

i have been ramping the color, see my schedule above. I have noticed my corals are less attractive around 6-7 pm. Are you suggesting to ramp color but stay in 35-40% ?

 

[minus9]

i have been ramping the color, see my schedule above. I have noticed my corals are less attractive around 6-7 pm. Are you suggesting to ramp color but stay in 35-40% ?

Yes. You can ramp from 0% to 40%, stay at 40% during peak hours, then ramp back down to 0%. This is what I've been doing since day one, but have been reducing the max color to 25% during peak hrs (this process has taken a better part of a year).
The key with Kessil's (and all led's) is to move slowly and be patient. Often people blame the light for something going wrong, when it's something completely different that's causing the issue or problem. The key to success in reefing is stability and patience.