ap24 lighting
 

Just curious how long everyone is running their lights.I have the stock lights that came with it and i'm running the blues 12hrs and the whites 10hrs.I'm starting to get a little green algea but nothing out of control.Thanks...........

Sorry I just realized i double posted..............

the 24 has two 36W PC bulbs, right? that may be a little bit on the long side, but like you said, it shouldnt be anything you cant control. what kind of clean-up crew do you have (snails, hermits, crabs) also, do you have a blenny or any other algea eating fish?

how long has the tank been up?

are you keeping up with your water changes?

are you using RO for your water changes?

do you know your water parameters?

unfortunatly, you havent given us enough info to really help you.

...your problem may be somehitng other than your lights :(

I am running my blues on a 10 hour schedule and my whites on an 8 hour schedule. I still get a little bit of green on the sand, but my lights need replaced too. Watch your lens cover for the lights, mine has started to warp and is melting a little bit. I plan on switching to the MH light once my stand is done.


If you keep up on weekly water changes, it will keep the green stuff low.

Jon

Well you don't have a problem yet, this is good.

I run my lights around 8 hours a day. The coral wakes up to some sunlight coming in through the window before my tank lights come on.

I think there is a great deal of flexibility with lighting length, yet trying to replicate natural conditions to some degree suggests that 12 hours is too much.


I've got mine to run on my schedule. I.e. My lights turn off closer to midnight as I'm usually in my room (tank's room) around this time.

As far as algae... It will definitely benefit from more lighting yet in the end it requires nutrients present in the water. The light isn't usually limiting (err... so I think).