Lights on, How long?

[kstuart]

What should my lighting cycle be for the cycle and then after wards? How many hours a day?

 

[smcnally]

I set mine so my actinics turn on at 11am, the my halides go on at noon. Then the halides turn off at 10pm, and the actinics go off at 11pm. My refugium is on a reverse schedule. It goes on at 12am and off at 8am

 

[rm]

Everyone seems to run theirs differently.
Some run 12hrs on actinics, 6hrs of halides in the middle of the actinic on time.

I was running 10hrs actinic with 5hrs metal halide but cut this back a few hrs per day because of an algae problem. I will push this up to 12hrs actinic 6hrs halide once I get the algae under control. lfs recommended shorter light period during winter, personal preference I think.

I've never heard of anyone running more than 12hrs/day

 

[PatMayo]

10 to 12 ours is fine IMHO.

I only run mine about 5 hours a day now because the tank is new and no corals. Trying to keep the algae under control as you also stated. Fish don't care about light so I only have mine come on the evening when I am home.

Regards,

Pat