So how much light? Can there be too much?

[PowermanKW]

So I have my 90g tank. I have 2x250w MH with Phoenix 14ks. 2x96w PC with Dual Actinics.

I run moons for 2 hours, then actincs for 12. Mhs on for 6 of that. then moons for 2 with 8 hours total darkness.

I think I have plenty of light. I have read about photo inhibition and didn't want to light my tank too much. Hence the 6 hours of MHs for Mid day. I have ran 7 before. I have pretty much SPS and want them healthy and colorful.

Is 6 hours of MH enough... can I have them on too much???

Time for new bulbs too so any recommendations for better par and color than the Phoenix is much appreciated.

 

[flyyyguy]

Optimum lighting needs can be different from system to system. A system that is heavily fed can handle much more light than one that isnt.

It all comes down to color preference as far as the bulbs, and finding the balance of how much light your system can handle for the corals to look their best.

Sorry for the kind of crappy answer ....but its kind of how it is. Make your tank as efficient as possible, feed all it can handle and play with your lights and photoperiods.

If you are posting this becasue you arent happy with yoru colors.....explain exactly what the issue is and maybe we can figure out a direction to explore

 

[redfishsc]

Assuming you have the DE halide, right? I doubt seriously that you'll find a better PAR and color combo than the Phoenix. Especially for the price.

 

[PowermanKW]

Thanks guys. I feed 3 cubes a day. I have never had nutrient problems or algae. I have a good skimmer and flow.

I have DE bulbs

I want good growth and good colors in my corals. As far as the color of my lighting the Phoenix were too blue at first, but now I like them. Considering Ushio 14ks... but I just might stick with the Phoenix. I like it with dual actinics.

A couple of my Montis have browned a bit. I think I alk burned a Purple Plasma, but who knows. A superman monti was nice and blue but now only around the edges. Thought maybe it was light so went from 7 hours back to 6. My coral grower though says Supermans can take a ton of light.

So what are some thing to look for on too little of too much light?

 

[Reefer577]

There can def be too much light. We had 14k 400w Ushio bulbs in 15" of water and my sps were not happy. It was better than the crappy Reeflux bulbs before. We just switched over to 20k 400w Radiums and everyone is much happier.

Too strong of light can wash your corals out and make them not grow as quickly.

 

[PowermanKW]

I know some folks have gone the other extreme and only run their high powered lights 4 hours. I may get new bulbs and start at 4 and keep it there and bump it up in stages to see exactly what my tank likes.

So if I was to change lighting.... how long would it take to see a result for sure.... 1 week 2...3...4???

 

[Reefer577]

We run our MH's 11-12 hours each day, so you could boost yours up to 8 hours with no problem. If some of your corals have browned out, esp your superman, then I would up the light or move the coral closer to the lights.

How old are your current HQI's? If they are the standard 8mo-12mo old then I would bump up to 8 hours of light. You should probably notice some color difference within two weeks or so.

 

[PowermanKW]

My bulbs are about 11 months, but only 6-7 hours a day. But ya it's time.

So what are your lights and tank that you are doing 11-12 hours a day?

All mt SPS are at the top of the tank. The Superman gets good light... at least placement.

 

[flyyyguy]

Whatever you do, do NOT just boost your photoperiod up to 8 hours overnight, and do not change yoru bulbs out to new ones of the same type, and or new ones altogether and move the lights cloer and or extend the photopperiod at the same time.

Lighting changes in duration and or strength need to happen very slowly regardless of all other conditions, or you will find yourself learning nothing about your lighting needs for months becasue you did it too fast, will stress a few and then will need to backit all of and find a new baseline to start from all over again

go slow

 

[PowermanKW]

Figured 15 minutes a day.

Will try more light with the older lights then adjust if beneficial with new ones. My lights are where they are for heat, and I won't be moving any corals. They are placed where they are.

 

[soulsigma]

Whatever you do, do NOT just boost your photoperiod up to 8 hours overnight, and do not change yoru bulbs out to new ones of the same type, and or new ones altogether and move the lights cloer and or extend the photopperiod at the same time.

Lighting changes in duration and or strength need to happen very slowly regardless of all other conditions, or you will find yourself learning nothing about your lighting needs for months becasue you did it too fast, will stress a few and then will need to backit all of and find a new baseline to start from all over again

go slow

Not trying to hijack this thread I understanding that what you are saying is that when it is time to change out your bulbs," it's not good to change bulbs out at the same time to new ones" . My lighting fixture operates with (2) 250W phonix 14K DE MH which need to be replaced. I was thinking of trying this bulb Elos Spectra-chrome 250w 20k Rx7 "abyss" as a replacemnt but now I am scard to change out my bulbs even though they are about to hit the 12 month mark shortly.

 

[Reefer577]

I don't really understand that post. We changed our bulbs out to new ones at the same time and same photoperiod with no ill effects.

I think if you change your bulbs over to new ones, then you should wait a few weeks. Then you can up your photoperiod by a few hours. Since you are running a short photoperiod now, if you ramp it up to eight hours with the new bulbs over the course of a month, you shouldn't experience any problems. If anything you might have a light algae bloom.

 

[flyyyguy]

I don't really understand that post. We changed our bulbs out to new ones at the same time and same photoperiod with no ill effects.

I was simply saying when chaging to higher intensity bulbs, whether it be to a new kind or just renewing really old ones, do not up the photoperiod at the same time, and dont ever up the photoperiod 2 hours at once in any case

 

[PowermanKW]

So what do you think is a reasonable rate to increase lighting time???