how long should the lights be on?

[acerr2562]

I wanted to ask some of you pros out there, how long do you leave the light on the tank on for? i am wondering which is best for growth and what is best for color. i ask this only after i got advice from a lfs and they told me to leave the lights on for 10-12 hours. so after frying a few of my favorite corals i hope you guys can help me out. i am running a 150w hqi 14K on a 24x24x12 30 gal tank and the coral are on egg crate 3-4" off the bottom. thanks for the help.

[Rouselb]

just (1) 150W?? any other lighting??

[acerr2562]

yup just 1 150w, on a 30 gal i thought that would be plunty. if i need something else i am all ears. but please someone help me out with the original question.

[Rouselb]

I would recommend no more then 8-9 hrs of metal halides and no more then 11-12 hrs of actinic lighting.

[mysterybox]

11-12 hours total light. If no actinic lighting than 11-12 hours MH. I run mine 11 hours plus 1 hour LED's.