Interesting thread on RC (reducing photoperiod)

[dailydriven911]

Trido and reefsetup, was this a gradual reduction or sudden? Wondering if I should go from 12 hrs to 8hrs or span it out a week...:?:

 

[OCDreefer]

don't forget the important part of this...... enjoying your tank. Hard to enjoy it if the lights are out.... just a side note

 

[dailydriven911]

Still do I work during the day anyway and the lights don't come on until 2 pm and off at 10pm. So I get 4 hrs of enjoyment...:lol:

 

[Reef Setup]

I agree OC, I wasnt too happy having to cut back to 7 hrs being i dont have t5 bulbs to supplement the mh! I run mines pretty much the same as dd911 2pm to 9pm! Trido i did the same, but i think i went about it the wrong way instead of adjusting an hour a week i just set the timer 3 hrs back, but everything seems to be doing gravy! BCT182 how about we start dosing pbr my favorite beer LoL!!!

 

[dailydriven911]

I ended up just programming the acjr to kick the t-5's on at 12pm, halide on at 2pm and off at 9 pm, and t-5's off at 10 pm. Refuge light on from 10 pm to 12 pm the next day.

 

[Reef Setup]

Nice dailydriven 911 I need to invest in a acjr! I was thinking of getting t5's to sup my mh! I've been looking online trying to find a decent price any suggestions? 24 inch fixture is more on what im leaning too!

 

[dailydriven911]

Nice dailydriven 911 I need to invest in a acjr! I was thinking of getting t5's to sup my mh! I've been looking online trying to find a decent price any suggestions? 24 inch fixture is more on what im leaning too!

I like the new hamilton belize sun fixtures! I got my 24" outer orbit fixture from a local for half price. If your just looking for t-5's to supplement you can find those for pretty cheap.

 

[Electrobes]

I'll need to read that thread before I jump down my current photo-period. I definitely learned over the years that jumping into something without proof usually backfires

 

[Damsel13]

I haven't had the opportunity to read the thread yet. But I have been cutting my photoperiod recently due mainly to temp. and I seem to have a happier tank. I look forward to reading the thread.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Been running my 175s for 9 hours. I have recently raised my photo period by opening the window shade by the tank. Everything looks happier for it. When in doubt, try to match mother nature

 

[dailydriven911]

Been running my 175s for 9 hours. I have recently raised my photo period by opening the window shade by the tank. Everything looks happier for it. When in doubt, try to match mother nature

Yep I do the same. I have a large window that is near the tank. Get's a few hours of natural light during the day.

 

[plack]

Great Barrier Reef,Australia - Tuesday 27-Oct-09

Sunrise 5:42am
Sunset 6:20pm

 

[stalefish]

I like the idea of mimicking nature as closely as possible, but how do you translate natural photoperiods to tank-life?

You'd have to factor in clouds, cloudy days, less intense sun early in the morning/late afternoon, sun spots, eclipses... the list is endless. Our tanks typically are either full on direct or full off.

I currently turn a light on early morning to wake the fish up so they can eat before I go to work and then turn the full lights on early afternoon so the lights are on in the evening when I can enjoy it.

-Don

 

[Chichas01]

Great thread. It's what inspired me when I set up the timeing on my lights a few months ago. I have 2 250w halides that are staggard in their times and neither one is on more than 6 hours. The first one fires up for 2 hours and then the second one comes on. 4 hours later the first one shuts off and 4 hours after that the second one shuts down. I run the actinics from 8:30AM-9:30PM.