kev apsley
In Memoriam
I think it applies to all around, even when I had a 150w 20k over my nano and a 9hr photo period the colors got washed out a bit, if you think your corals look light and just aren't dark enough then it's worth a try
shorter photo period = faster growth
- Thread starter Ace1
- Start date
I think it applies to all around, even when I had a 150w 20k over my nano and a 9hr photo period the colors got washed out a bit, if you think your corals look light and just aren't dark enough then it's worth a try
kev apsley
In Memoriam
this thread goes hand and hand with this one
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1564270
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1564270
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
The problem I have with this is that I really like to enjoy my tank with the lights on... I would run them for 14 hours if I could... I don't care much for the actinic look either. If my lights were only on for 4-5 hours I would never get to enjoy my tank!
I'm thinking about swapping out one of my actinics for a daylight bulb, if I end up liking the color of the tank with the two VHOs on then, I might consider giving it a try.
I'm thinking about swapping out one of my actinics for a daylight bulb, if I end up liking the color of the tank with the two VHOs on then, I might consider giving it a try.
This is a great topic! Could someone starting this lower photo period, who has a good camera, post before and after pictures? That would be a great help! I actually just started about 2 weeks ago and reduced it down to 12 hours antics and 9 hours MH (2-250 reeflux 12k). I have noticed my tri-color starting to show blue tips 
. I am about to knock it down to 8 hours, then down to 7 in another week. Antics I am going to move to 10 hours.
We just got some new blue LED lights for moonlight. It is pretty bright and they are running for 12 hours. Not trying to hijack, but do the corals maybe consider that almost like sunset and they are not getting any rest?
Wish I had a good camera! You cannot even tell the true colors with it.
. I am about to knock it down to 8 hours, then down to 7 in another week. Antics I am going to move to 10 hours. We just got some new blue LED lights for moonlight. It is pretty bright and they are running for 12 hours. Not trying to hijack, but do the corals maybe consider that almost like sunset and they are not getting any rest?
Wish I had a good camera! You cannot even tell the true colors with it.
teamdulski
The Saltiest!
Hmm, I will have to try this out as well.
I used to run 18 bulbs (950 watts) of T5 with all bulbs from 9a to 9p. I now run all bulbs from 7-9a so I can check everything out and get my PH up a bit before going to work, then I go to actinics from 9-3p and then full lights from 3-9p. 8 total hours of full spectrum during the times I am home before and after work.
It took a couple of weeks but I have noticed dramatically more growth, better colors and I have to clean the glass less. I don't even notice the lights are out during the day as I am gone!
sfsuphysics
Active member
Not sure about VHOs, but T5 "blue plus" bulbs give you a nice deep blue color without going all dark and purply like actinic bulbs. Granted you might not have the equipment in place for something like that, but it is an option.
But it's what you want to do with your tank
Sinistard
New member
Has anyone shortened there photo period by cutting some time out of the middle of your light cycle. Say you have your Main lights come on at 10am then turn off at like 2pm then come back on at 6pm and stay on until 10pm. It would be a total of 8 hours but the corals would have a break from the intense light for 4 hours. You could have supplemental light on during the entire photo period.
Sure this is not really "natural" but if corals can only absorb so much at a time maybe the break would encourage growth/coloring. And for people who work during the day you would get some time at night with your lights on.
Just a thought, I have not tried it but may to see what happens.
Sure this is not really "natural" but if corals can only absorb so much at a time maybe the break would encourage growth/coloring. And for people who work during the day you would get some time at night with your lights on.
Just a thought, I have not tried it but may to see what happens.
dzhuo
Active member
wild guess here... lots of people have fuge and run the fuge light in reverse cycle as the main display. when you shorten the main display's lighting cycle, you are essentially elongating the fuge cycle which could mean better nutrient export and hence better water parameter and better grow and color.
bagged87blayzer
New member
Well I shortened the MH today down to 5 hours. Lets see what happens.
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
heard that idea tossed around, but the issue always comes up that firing the bulbs more often increases the wear on them.
ReefEnabler
Premium Member
haha somehow was looking at an older view of this thread and didn't already see the replies about firing the MH bulbs more frequently
go figure...
go figure...
fasteddie7
New member
i have recently changed from 250mh to 400mh. i cut the photo period way back to break in the new bulbs, and have worked up to a photo period of 7 hours of just the 400 watt mh, no supplemental light. corals look awesome. could be the new radium bulbs too!
panic
Premium Member
I have dropped mine to 7 hours and am working toward 6, no actinics, just 3 400se xm20k in LAIII. Issues with my timer often makes me leave the lights off all day for fear that it won't shut off. These days off seem to make some nicer colors in my corals and it is my only change in a year. I leave them off 1 days per week and a day with only 2-3 hour photoperiod.
spsfreak
Premium Member
I have a thought about the growth spurts when the lighting pattern shortens. I think possibly it is a built in "defense mechanism" that the coral has. What I am saying is that the coral(s) realize that the lighting pattern has changed to a shorter period, therefore it by default "re-programs" itself to grow faster. In doing this it would assure that it maintains the proper survival growth rate and not slow its growth to a detrimental point. Just a thought.
Like maybe reacting to another coral overgrowing it or the reduced light of storm season that may allow it an opportunity to expand through storm breakage of itself or its neighbors?
Interesting theory. I wonder if there have been any studies on seasonal growth rates? it may support a methodology of increasing and decreasing photoperiods versus just decreasing.
