Light duration and Nova Ext Pro question

[adirondack]

Hi,

I have a 72 gal bow set up 2 weeks ago, 4-5" aragonite sand various particle sizes including 30 lbs live sand and 30 lbs live rock from local aquarist, 20 lbs live sand from GARF, 60 lbs dry rock from MarcoRocks, 15 or so each orange hermits and snails.

Using a 6X54 Nova Extreme Pro with only 3 blue (460nm) bulbs on waiting for a replacement ballast during this time. The purple coralline has brightened up well over this time.

Now I have the new ballast in and 6 new bulbs. Based on Grim's previous recommendations on this thread and the T5 Lighting Review (Larsen/Fruits), I have this configuration:

Front
B+
Super Actinic
UVL Aquasun
B+
UVL 75/25
B+
Back

My questions:

1. Do I need all six bulbs on during this cycling time?
2. How many hours per day now?
3. How many hours per day later with corals?
4. Why is this fixture wired with 1 switch controlling bulbs 1 and 5, the other controlling 2,3,4,6?

Thank you for any help on this, and I apologize if these questions have already been answered.

 

[aquaman67]

No need for all six bulbs during cycle. Live rock is low light.

I'd do 6-8 hour photoperiod for cycle.

For corals 8 - 12 hours.

The lights are wired so you can turn on two with a timer. Then an hour later turn on the rest of the lights.

Then you can turn off 4 lights. An hour later turn off 2.

This creates a dusk/dawn effect.