Absolute shortest light cycle.

[dc_909]

If I was trying to conserve every amount of electricity possible on the lights. What would be the shortest light cycle I could run?

Here is my tank

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/dc_909/Tank%20Build/100_5389.jpg

Lights are 2 175 halides and 4 54 T5s

[RONCGIZMO]

Why not mix it up for 8~9 hours a day? have the 2 MH turn off first after a few hours then 2 T5's then the last 2 T5's?

Just an idea, (I don't have any SPS in my tank)

[Blown 346]

The least amount for light would be no less than 8 hours a day.

[s3aL]

Are you running the 14k Iwasaki's?

[reefnetworth]

full sun is usually 10:30 A.M.-2:30/3:30 P.M., roughly 4-5 hrs. depending on geometrical location, if you want to get technical.

my daily cycle is:
Actinics come on 1.5 hrs before the MH, and go off 2.0 hrs. after MH, to simulate a natural daily cycle with a late sunset.

display inhabitants: sps, lps, polys, zoas, and softies all seem to grow best at this cycle than other cycles ive tryed.

note: temp @ 80f, Alk @ 3.8, CaC12 @ 440, pH @ 8.2-8.3, Mg @ 1,350 and I/IO @ 0.045 (Seachem), PO4 & NO-3 stay at zero thanks to 4" of LS and 20 lbs of Figi LR, 7 lbs. Fiji RR, and lots of Chaetomorphia in the sump/refuge. :thumbsup:

[dc_909]

Cool thanks

[dc_909]

yes they are the Iwasakis

[Playa-1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11153817#post11153817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RONCGIZMO
Why not mix it up for 8~9 hours a day? have the 2 MH turn off first after a few hours then 2 T5's then the last 2 T5's?

Just an idea, (I don't have any SPS in my tank)

Agreed, and you could likely take it one step further and not use the MH lighting at all. I would imagine that the MH175s would not have any better penetration then the T5's.

[burton14e7]

I've seen healthy sps tanks that use MH for 6 hours a day

[m2434]

MH's usually do their job in 4-5 hours. Anything longer than that is really just adding heat and using electricity (with the exception of a few light loving corals - not the majority). The ripple effect is nice, but you have to decide what your priorities are. As others have suggested, the T-5s are very efficient and based on the corals I see on your tank I don't think you need a long MH photo period. Personally I find gradual light changeds work best - I'd use your resources to go with something like this (give or take.

Hour 1-2 - 2x T-5's
Hour 2-3 - 4x T-5's
Hour 4 - add 1 MH
Hour 5 - add 2nd MH
Hour 6 - Turn off 1st MH
Hour 7 - Turn off 2nd MH
Hour 8-9 - Turn off 1st T-5 set
After 10 Hours - Turn off last T-5 set

[dc_909]

I will try to shortening and see what my colors look like after a few weeks.


thanks