MH and PC timer?

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by thenagler72, Feb 6, 2008.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. thenagler72

    thenagler72 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Messages:
    53
    Hi, I am thinking about getting a MH fixture with 2x 65 W PC lights on the edges. Do the MH and PC need to be on separate timers or can they all just turn on/off at the same time? Thanks
     
    thenagler72, Feb 6, 2008
    thenagler72, Feb 6, 2008
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2000
    Messages:
    13,466
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Personal preference. Many stagger the lighting for dusk/dawn effects.

    Be sure to get a grounded timer though. ;)
     
    Matt Rogers, Feb 6, 2008
    Matt Rogers, Feb 6, 2008
    #2
  3. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2007
    Messages:
    2,753
    Location:
    joliet,il
    for corals its best to start and finish with the pc's, with the mh's inbetween. to much light at one time will shock the corals.
     
    reef_guru, Feb 6, 2008
    reef_guru, Feb 6, 2008
    #3
  4. omard

    omard Gnarly Old Codfish

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Messages:
    4,745
    Location:
    Silverdale, Washington
    Good point...

    Ideal is to run PC's alone couple of hours at start of day and at end of day.

    And if you have actinics on separate timer, run them first and last for a while.

    ;D
     
    omard, Feb 7, 2008
    omard, Feb 7, 2008
    #4
  5. YellowBelly

    YellowBelly Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2007
    Messages:
    825
    Location:
    Newtown, PA
    Keep the MH's and PC's on separate timers.
     
    YellowBelly, Feb 7, 2008
    YellowBelly, Feb 7, 2008
    #5
  6. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2007
    Messages:
    2,753
    Location:
    joliet,il
    heres my light schedule:

    #1 actinics on: 0800 am
    #2 actinics on: 0900 am
    metal halides on, refugium lights off: 1000 am
    metal halides off, refugium lights on: 1000 pm
    #1 actinics off: 1100 pm
    #2 actinics off: 1200 am
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2008
    reef_guru, Feb 7, 2008
    reef_guru, Feb 7, 2008
    #6