Photo period

[DonW]

I like to feed in the morning and play with the tank a little before work. I also like to see it when I'm home at night. That would put my halides on for 16+hrs a day. I'd like to stay away from adding vho's just to simplify the hood and wiring.
What is the ideal period for 3 x 250w halides in a 25" deep sps and clam tank?
I'm guessing there is a point of saturation, and negative results.
What other lighting can be use to light the tank in the morning and night without causing a algae problem?

Thanks
Don

 

[dnjan]

Are you sure you don't want to put a pair of VHO (or T-5) Actinics in? For that Actinic-only look?

 

[Scooterman]

12 hours of light is about normal for tropical reefs.

You could spot a T5 on a timer before and after for the Actinics. My VHO's come on at 6 PM, MH on at 8 PM, off at 4 AM, & VHO's off at 6 Am.
This is ok because I'm up at 5 Am though.

 

[DonW]

Are you sure you don't want to put a pair of VHO (or T-5) Actinics in? For that Actinic-only look?

Vho actinics blur my vision and screw with my equilibrium. I guess I should have mentioned that. I had to remove the ones I had.

Don

 

[dnjan]

Vho actinics blur my vision and screw with my equilibrium. I guess I should have mentioned that. I had to remove the ones I had.

Don

I guess that is less painful than giving up drinking (which can also blur vision and screw up equilibrium)

Was it the Actinic? Or the VHO part (some people have problems with some flourescents). Were you using an electronic balast or a tar balast?

 

[DonW]

I guess that is less painful than giving up drinking (which can also blur vision and screw up equilibrium)

Was it the Actinic? Or the VHO part (some people have problems with some flourescents). Were you using an electronic balast or a tar balast?

Vho in general. I tried Aro and Ice cap ballast. NO bulbs are no problem, I tried Hellio sp? NO / t-5's they did fine but would only last 2 months then burn out. I thought about other NO bulbs but dont want a algae bloom. I'd just use a household 75w bulb if I new for sure it wouldnt cause problems.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

How about high powered LED dusk/moonlighting?

 

[flip_3_6_0]

coralife make the 50/50 power compacts that screw into a normal fixture, could that work?

 

[wrightme43]

Scooters got a good idea. I have 3 of the 3/4 watt moonlight leds and 1 of the 1 watt leds. Nice and bright and very cool effect. I also have a package of 420 nano meter 1 watt bulbs I got from a company. If you are interested in making your own moonlights I will post the website and instructions from another place. Steve

 

[DonW]

Thanks for the ideas. I came up with 4 50w/12v cluster leds and a 12v/850ma power supply.

Should work fine.

Don

 

[DonW]

Here is half the tank lit. 2 12v led cluster.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

now that is nice, I like it!

 

[CarlaW]

That is an interesting option Don. I also get up early and would like to be able to see something in the tank early in the AM. Thanx for the idea. FWIW, I have my Halides on for 9hrs. maximum, but I also have vho actinic supplementation.

 

[wrightme43]

I will get a pic, tonight under the moonlights. I like what you did Don, I think if you havent seen the moon lights you will like what they do. If you have I will just post it to make me happy. LOL evil grin. LOL