Confused about lighting...

meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK, I have REREAD and REREAD the sections about lighting in my book (The Conscientious Marine Aquarist) and it states over and over to run lights at least 12 hours...I have done that with my CF lights...now that I am getting MH/T5 lights on Tuesday, I asked for opinions on acclimating lights...no prob, BUT the few answers I got say they only run their light 5-7 hours...(of course I know this is after acclimation) So now I am confused about how long to leave my lights on for.....Will the T5's make up for the time the MH's are not on????
Any suggestions or clarification on this would be greatly appreciated...
Another thing...the book stresses the importance of covered tanks...
 
chris17

chris17

Member
Many people run their MH lights for like 5 hours a day, and they run there T5 or VHO lights for a full 10 or 12 hours. They have the T5 or VHOs come on a couple hours before the MHs and stay on for a couple hours after the MHs turn off. Like morning T5, mid-day T5 + MH , and evening T5.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK, thanks for clearing this up, I guess once I get the lights I will see more about the T5's....I am guessing they are different then the cf actinics...
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by NigerBang
http:///forum/post/2856838
You can use screens to light acclimate just pile on layers of screen and take one off a week
I'm guessing you mean like mesh window screen??? I can get some at the hardware store Monday....then put 2 layers on over my glass?
Do I run the MH for the full 5-7 hours with the screen, or do I still run them 2-3 first week, and so forth??
 
nigerbang

nigerbang

Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/2856864
I'm guessing you mean like mesh window screen??? I can get some at the hardware store Monday....then put 2 layers on over my glass?
Do I run the MH for the full 5-7 hours with the screen, or do I still run them 2-3 first week, and so forth??
2-3 hrs...it dont have much to do with times...more intensity then anything...same screen you can buy at home depot...pile it about 7 layers thick and remove one or two a week
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
WOW!!!! That's a lot of screen....and that is with the lights on 2-3 hrs a day?
OK, 2-3 hrs 1st week...3-4 2nd week, remove some screen, 4-5 3rd week, remove more screen, and then 5-6 hrs and remove all screen? Do I finally have it right? I didn't realize that light acclimation took a month...LOL....
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
You don't need to shorten the light cycle just use the screen to absorb some of the light intensity and as you remove layers the intensity will increase.
 
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