modified lighting cycle

[Pickupman66]

So I read a thread on another forum site about a modified light cycle. the thwories are that algae motility was at is peak between hours 2 and 4 and then drops off Sharply there after. this was tested in some corals. so, I am going to give it a try. as of this week, my halides will only be on from 7 am to 11 am, then from 5pm to 9pm. this gives me 8 hours of full halides in a 24 hour period. the t-5's will run 15 mins before 7 and 30 mins after 9. they also run between during the day. (they shut off while halides are on because the halides drown them out and I cannot tell anything anyways since I run 20k's.


one thing I have noticed is gives the water a chance to cool itself during the middle part of the day. granted it has not been very hot lately, but it worked well monday.

Now, in the past 3 days, I have noticed that all of the SPS have had greater polyp extension. this is only anecdotal from my visual observation, but none the less.... supposedly the short cycles are best for Zoanthids and their growth.

anyone else thoughts??

 

[Pandarian]

I tried running 6 on/off years ago (maybe 6-8 yrs ago) and I can't really remember what happened. Obviously I dont run it now, but I think the reason why I stopped was because the tradeoff wasn't worth it.

However, I was running a 6/6 photoperiod and not 4/8, so results may be worth it. I have read the thread and the paper, so I'm interested on your progress. Keep us updated!

 

[Fcamdog]

Please take notes. Do you use a journal with your tanks? A friend of mine does, I used to, and am going to start the practice again. In the past it really helped me figure out if "tweaks" were really making change.

Just for help allieviating heat that sounds like it would be beneficial. Also, if you live in an area where untilities are charged peak rates, that would help lower your electric bill. Keep us posted!

Fidel

 

[Pickupman66]

never been a good note taker or journal writer.. heck I can barely do twitter and FB for work! I had a minot time issue with my t-5's. I think I have the clock set. I do keep a tank log on another Forum. it encompasses from the beginning....

 

[ocd_mariner]

copps runs his tanks that way. He started that cycle to give the water a chance to cool off. If you saw his totm article, its clear there is no downside. However, it remains to be seen if it does anything positive for the corals, besides giving the tank a chance to cool down.

 

[Pickupman66]

Chuck, that was my main reasoning. sorta steadies it a bit more instead of a full on sun for 8 hours...

 

[Pickupman66]

chuck, I just read his latest TOTM. didnt see anything about light cycle except that the 180 lights are daytime and the rest are run at night.

 

[ocd_mariner]

Maybe it wasn't in the article. There was a totm thread he was commenting on a bit. Perhaps it was there. I know that he explained it somewhere.

 

[Pickupman66]

no worries.. I will keep up the experiment...so far, I like it. cause I get to see the fish before I leave for work, and when I get home.

 

[orthokardia]

That would b nice to have two viewing periods

 

[Pickupman66]

So far so good. I am liking it and the wrasse stays out all day.

 

[undertcontrolj]

How do switch to this sort f lighting method without effecting the corals. Right now i do straight 6 hours of halides is it possible to just switch it and not mess with the corals?

 

[poolkeeper1]

IMO 8 Full Hrs of Halides is more than Needed! If you look to nature the Sun Peaks from 12:00 to 3:00PM and with cloud cover and just plain rainy day's there is not that much direct light on the reefs IME. In all the years I have had Halides I have never ran them more than Six Hrs and as little as four and a total of all lighting at 10-12 Hrs Max. With my Led's i am running a total of 11 hrs but 3 of those are ramp up and down which is not all at full power. This is just my opinion and I wanted to put my 2 cents in as far as it's worth.
Bill

 

[undertcontrolj]

Bill if I wanted to switch to a cycleof only 3 hours on from say 9-12. And then again from 6-9 can I just switch since I am only doing 6 hours now? So it would still be the same hours during the day just different times. I am having water temp issues and just don't want to buy a chiller so if this would help I would rather do this just to see how it goes.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Absolutly!

Absolutly!

Bill if I wanted to switch to a cycleof only 3 hours on from say 9-12. And then again from 6-9 can I just switch since I am only doing 6 hours now? So it would still be the same hours during the day just different times. I am having water temp issues and just don't want to buy a chiller so if this would help I would rather do this just to see how it goes.

I see no reason why you could not do this as to let the water cool may be a positive benefit. My only statement was the total amout of Halides IMO being more than actually needed, Not to mention Electric Costs!
Bill:hammer:

 

[undertcontrolj]

Yeah I have always ran 4-6 hours on halides. I usually run the T-5s longer though.

 

[Pickupman66]

Justin, I just did it. didnt phase it in at all. so far, I really like it. much better heat issues and I like that I can see them before I go to work, and when I come home. the only effect I have seen on the corals is they seems to be more polyped out and I have seen some very noticeable growth in some of the acro's. supposedly it makes zoanthids grow faster, but I have no data myself on that. I have a colony of very fast growing ones that have grown from a 1"x 4" colony. now the whole area is about 8" diameter since october.