Light Timing Question

[princefro]

Just purchased a new power compact florescent light 260W with
12,000K bulbs and acitinic bulbs also equipped with the blue moon lights. i guess my question would be how long does everyone run each particular set of bulbs. I have never had a light other than the one that comes with the aquarium so im at a loss for knowledge. The tank right now is a fish only tank, but live rock will start to be added when funds allow. Any feedback would be grate. Thanks

 

[kjlondry]

I run 12 on 12 off, on a timer, so i ain't got to do a thing.
curious to know what everyone else does though.

 

[cloienc27]

I leave my tank on for 8hrs and thats it, before I would manually do it and it was like nothing would stay as healthy as what I have now. B/c I would leave it on for a long time (not days or anything). I have come to realize though that a timer is bliss b/c you dont have to worry about turning it on or off, how long has it been on...nothing. But I saw in the previous post 12hours...how is that working out for you?? B/c I have been thinking about setting it for a little bit longer time to stay on.

 

[kjlondry]

Seems fine to me. Everything is living, but anemones. Maybe that is why? I dnk? Light is the source of life for many things though, so I don't see why more light would be bad. Definitely wouldn't leave it on 24 hours though.
I know that's what best for plants.....?

 

[aquarium125g]

i think the best way to know is look at the ocean and how much light does the animal in the wild get light. i live mine on for 8 hours max. i have a blue carpet anemone and its living the good life.

 

[princefro]

Thanks for the reply. Another question would be, do you turn on the actinic light an hour before the daytime light and vice versa to mimic sunrise and sun set, or would you just turn them both on and off at the same time??
Ps What a difference from just a standard florescent light. Picked up this light off of ---- for 100 new in box. What a deal. Compact florescents are ok for liverock and possible eventually corals??

 

[kjlondry]

Recently I was told that compacts are not good for anemones other than that I guess they work for corals, because mine seem to be doing fine...? Mind you they are as close to the top as they can be. Someone said that the compact lights do not go through the water as well as a MH, T5 or other HO bulbs, even if they are the same wattage....
And about the timing issue, again I just turn everything on at 12 and off at 12, with timers. I don't see why it wouldn't be a bad idea though? Might make them happier? Who knows, give it a shot. As long as they get sunlight I don't see how you can go wrong. But I'm no lighting specialist.

 

[princefro]

well when i get to that point, i too would place them as high as possible. Thanks

 

[bizzmoneyb]

yea you could have just the actinics on for an hour before and after all the lights to simulate sunset/sunrise.
i leave my lights on for about 8 hours. anything more than that and i started to get excessive algae growth.

 

[kjlondry]

I have a very good clean up crew so algae isn't much of an issue in my tank. If I get a problem though I will consider going to 8 hours...