recommendations for lighting schedule

[ibyhousz]

Hello all,
I just started my first tank after about 2 1/2 years of research and much procrastination. I am looking for light timing recommendations. I have a 65rr with a 40g basement sump. A g2 skimmer. 4 39w T5's, 2 blue and 2 actinic's. I have about 90 #s of live rock, an anenome (that came on one of the rocks), 2 clowns, and a kole tang. I would like to do primarily soft coral. Based on my specs how do you recommend I config my light timers? I am currently running as follows:
6am - icecap retro moonlights on
5pm - blue on, moonlights off
5:30pm - actinics on
11:30pm - actinics off
midnight - blue's off
thanks!
Joel

 

[magdelan]

I'm surprised that no one has posted here yet. I thought that everyone here had an opinion.

Anyway Joel, I think that this is a great start. For a predominately softy tank, I think six hours of max lighting is more than sufficient.

I have some SPS in my tank so my Actinics come on at 2:30 --> MH's on at 4:30 --> MH's off at midnight --> Actinics off at 1am. Whatever works for you!

Good luck

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

most living coral reefs are found near the equator so 12 hours of lighting and 12 hours of darkness would be a good starting point

or

go with whatever pleases you.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I run 12 hours of actinics and 6 hours of days.

 

[JGarcia9102]

I run my lights so I can see the tank a bit before work, and then when i get home(so i can check out the progress of corals...) Thats around 12-13 hrs, but i run LED so Heat isnt an issue.

 

[ibyhousz]

thanks for the feedback guys!