Silly Question - Nano Light Schedule

[Big Chief]

So I have a 16g IM nano tank... using 2 LED light fixtures that are 6w each... and a 2w moon lights. (12w total and 4w total).

My question: when the 14k lights are off, i run the moon lights completely. Should there be a period of DARK (no lights at all)? Or since the moon light is only 4w total... its not a big deal?

Two second background... my current schedule is ON 6a-9a, then MOON until back on at 5p-8p, then MOON until next day 6a. (its split based on working so the family can see better). I'm thinking of changing to a single schedule like 8a-7p??

NOTE: even though its moon from 9a-5p... the tank is close to many windows with 1/2 light in the day time. But from 8p-6a its MOON all night long.

Yes, there is some corals in the tank... part of the reason I am questioning all this is because the growth seems slow. Everything is fine, just seems way to slow.

Thanks for any insights...

 

[coverdog]

I'm suprised the corals are staying alive with 12 watt lights. What kind of corals and lights do you have?

 

[Big Chief]

Ha... I was kinda surprised too. Then again, they are LED and I can't quite find (or I dont understand) the comparison for the wattage.

The lights are made by Skkye Lights (came with the Innovative Marine tank).

I have 2 corals, which are about 3 months old. Frogspawn and Zoa. The FS is hard to tell how its growing, but I do know its surviving just fine. The Zoas were 2 when I bought them, now 5. About 1 new polyp/month.

The Zoas are close to the top of the tank about 6 inches from the light (3 inches from waterline). High/Mild water flow. They open up with lights and 50/50 with moonlight.

The FS is near the bottom of the tank. About 10 inches from water line. Low/Mild water flow. It used to open HUGE with light, then retract with moon light. Now its doesnt open as much... but I recently changed water flow so I suspect that is the issue.

I know my placement might not be ideal, but with a nano tank options are limited. Which is what led me to start looking into the lighting of the tank. This is a family tank for the kids... and hobby for me.