Photoperiod Convo

[ReeferRob]

With all the talk of bulb choice or selection to achieve a certain look, growth and or pop of color from certain corals. I think of equal importance is the photoperiod or light exposure time you have for you tank inhabitants.

So maybe we can discuss each of our individual photoperiods.
Things that would be helpful to include;

*Brief tank dimensions and light choice (power and bulb choice)
*Types of species you are keeping
*Actual exposure duration including dusk to dawn sequence
*Goals or thoughts to why you believe this has been successful for you and or why you don't like it and are looking for change.

*Lastly if you see areas for constructive advise please do so.


I'll kick it off.............
*DT 25x25x25, 65 gallon cube w/ Aquatinics TX5HO 5x24 watt
2 x 24W ATI Blue Plus T5HO
2 x 24W 12000K ATI Aquablue Special T5HO
1 x 24W UVL Super Actinic 420nm

*Full blown mixed reef, SPS,LPS, Z's and P's, Ricordea Madness, and Clams(5)

*Dawn cycle kicks on at 8:30am with the UVL Super A, and the two Blue +, at 12:00 other two bulbs come on for full light. At 7:00 Specials go off to begin Dusk cycle which is completed at 9:00.
Lunar light then come on which are set to a 29 day oscilating lunar cycle.

*I choose this photoperiod mostly out of selfishness. I really enjoy my tank and want to see it in all its glory as much and as often as I can.
I have been fortunate enough that the tanks inhabitants enjoy the photoperiod I have selected. The fish know it to the second and the corals love it. I have had an amazing growth explosion from my Z's and P's as well as my encrusting montis and caps. The rics and clams enjoy this longer light period and absolutely get huge soaking up the rays.

[Mike]

270 gallon SPS reef

LIghitng: 2-250 watt XM 20K's in lumenbrite Mini's on ice caps. 2-400 watt 20 Radiums in Lumenbrite mini's on lumentek ballast.

Photoperiod control via profilux controller.

1st 250 starts up at 11am-7pm
2nd 250 starts up at 12pm-7:30pm
2 400's start up at 2pm and off at 9pm

There is about a 5 hour period where all the lights are on together. I wanted to avoid running them all together all the time. I do believe that you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to lighitng.

I started using lugols as well to aid the corals with making (sun-screen) and dose 8 drops every Sunday of the Brightwell lugols.

I use to run my lights 12 hours a day but since placing multiple MH over the tank I can still enjoy viewing the tank while cutting down the exposure of the corals to constant high noon.

[ReeferRob]

270 gallon SPS reef

LIghitng: 2-250 watt XM 20K's in lumenbrite Mini's on ice caps. 2-400 watt 20 Radiums in Lumenbrite mini's on lumentek ballast.

Photoperiod control via profilux controller.

1st 250 starts up at 11am-7pm
2nd 250 starts up at 12pm-7:30pm
2 400's start up at 2pm and off at 9pm

There is about a 5 hour period where all the lights are on together. I wanted to avoid running them all together all the time. I do believe that you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to lighitng.

I started using lugols as well to aid the corals with making (sun-screen) and dose 8 drops every Sunday of the Brightwell lugols.

I use to run my lights 12 hours a day but since placing multiple MH over the tank I can still enjoy viewing the tank while cutting down the exposure of the corals to constant high noon.



Thanks Mike, I learned something new from you post! Iodine/lugols aids in protecting corals via producing "sun-screen" good to know.
I've never dosed iodine other than when I see a shrimp or other invert that needs to molt. I'll add a little Kent Tech-I.

[ReeferRob]

Just trying to kick the dust of this thread!

Anyone else running lights on their tank?