Lighting question?

[Mekinnik]

Who long should I keep my lights? right now I keeps them on for about 4 to 5 hrs. a day. What about day and night timing, how does it work and will I need timers to do that?


40 gal.
15 lbs. LR
1 1/2" SB
prizim skimmer
2 NO 36" lights (10,000k and 100% actinic)
marineland 300 bio-wheel
1 rio 180 powerhead
1 blue hippo tang
1 dragon wrasse
2 snails
3 reef hermits
1 open brain (in sad shape)
1 feather duster

[phistio]

http://www.reefcentral.com/images/welcome.gif

i reccomend you light 12 hrs. on 12 hrs.off...

i see you have one 10,000k one actinic...but i sure both are on the same ballast... if they're not, i would have the actinic on say an hour before the daylight (10,000k bulb) and an hour after...so like:

8 am actinic on
9 am daylight on7 pm daylight off
8 pm actinic off

just my opinion...

thanks for registering!

[Mekinnik]

Would that cause excessive red algae growth or a diatom bloom?

[matrixnyc]

What type of water are you using for your water changes, I had a similar problem before. I was using distilled water but changed to RO water and it seemed to go away.

Also, I keep my lighting on for about 8-9 hours a day.

[Mekinnik]

Treated tapwater and distilled water from the store. I cannot afford ro yet.

[Irisservice]

Blues stay on for 12 hours 10k stay on for 8 hours

[Pineapple House]

I would definitaly keep your lighting on 10-12hrs daily. And another vouch for the sunrise/sunset. I love the idea of it, looks very natural, and the corals love it when the actinics are on. As far as RO water goes, The store distilled water will do. I even use the Distilled water from the store, and am very happy with it. Although I am planning on getting an RO/DI unit soon.

PH =)

[wastwage]

I would go for 12 hrs on has worked good fo me.