Lighting Schedule

[drew2005]

Since i know have some sort of life in my tank. Should i change my schedule? Right now i run both 10k and actinic for 8 hours a day.

 

[mudplayerx]

I think a good way would be to turn the actinics on for an hour, then the metal halides for 8 hours. Then turn the metal halides off, and switch the actinics on for another hour before finally turning all the lights off.
I'm sure you can leave the actinics on while the 10k bulb is going, but it is unecessary.

 

[drew2005]

They actually arent metal halides. Sorry for the confusion. Its dual satellite lighting. I guess i can follow the same thing. Actinics 1 hour, then off - daylight 8 hours then off - Actinics 1 hour then off. Moonlight for the rest of the night. How does that sound?

 

[mudplayerx]

Better get someone elses opinion LOL. I only know about metal halides, hehe.

 

[jobob]

do the same thing with turning the actinics on first then the 10k, but leave the actinic on with the 10k. then one hour before u shut the lights off, turn the 10k off then hr later the actinics. but leave them both on all day. even with halides i do the same thing. ur not trying to get light from the actinics ur getting the blue wavelenght from it. 10k does give off blue but if u supplement with actinic u get a better light spectrum.

 

[mudplayerx]

10k metal halides don't need actinic supplementation, but he doesn't have MH so I don't know why I'm even typing this lol. Bored at work.

 

[jobob]

i know its not needed for halides but it doesnt hurt any. i like the color better with actinic. but with power compacts i would use both.

 

[wax32]

10k MH + actinic VHO looks good on corals that fluoresce. The actinics kick em up a notch.