Light Hours

[shaywood]

How many hours a day should my lights run? I have a 125 gallon reef with 2 (400w) 10k MH lights and 2 (100w) VHO Super Actinic lights.

 

[returnofsid]

I think most people run their Actinics 10 to 11 hours a day and their daylights a minimum of 8 to 10 hours a day.

 

[Krish]

It varies...I personally my halides for 8 hours and there are some like Sid suggested that run them longer. For a dusk to dawn effect, the Actinics are usually turned on an hour before the halides come on and stay on for about an hour after the halides turn off. Whatever works for you

 

[DonW]

It varies...I personally my halides for 8 hours and there are some like Sid suggested that run them longer. For a dusk to dawn effect, the Actinics are usually turned on an hour before the halides come on and stay on for about an hour after the halides turn off. Whatever works for you

My halides turn on elevated @24" and take 2 hrs to lower down to 8". They remain at 8" for 8 hours then take 2hrs to climb back up to 24".:lol:

Don

 

[Krish]

My halides turn on elevated @24" and take 2 hrs to lower down to 8". They remain at 8" for 8 hours then take 2hrs to climb back up to 24".

Don

The hi-tech way of doing things

 

[Bainic]

Wow Don, that is high tech! Don't your arms get sore lowering and raising your lights for four hours a day?! LOL

Normal daylight hours in the tropical regions vary from 10 - 14 hours of sunlight a day, so just about anything inbetween is acceptable. Personally, my actinics come on an hour before my halides, then they're on for 11 hours, then my actinics turn off one hour after the halides go off.

 

[SueT]

my halides are on for 11 hours a day and actinics 1 hour before and after..