Lighting programming

[Plan2Build]

I am attempting to program my lighting. I was wondering if others here could post their programmed lighting schedules that have been successful for various organisms. For instance, the on/off periods and durations for MH for successful clams, SPS, LPS, etc.

I have 4 seperate circuits for my lights...the moonlights are obvious. However I have 1 circuit for MH, one circuit each for PC Actinics and 10K's. I have alternated the bulbs so that there is one Actinic and one 10K per circuit each. The cooling fan is on one of these circuits.

Could everyone suggest the durations at times of day for each of these circuits based on their own sucesssful experience? If possible, durations for each type of lighting, on/off times, bringing lighting up in the morning and down in the evening gradually.

Thanks to everyone in advance!!

Gregor

[Gresham]

One of my 29g: lite by 1x 150w 20K DE HQI, 2x 65w PC actinic, 2x 13w combo PC, 2x moonlights (1w'ers)

Moonlights = 24/7 (no need to put them on a timer, unless you want to extend their life)
Daylight (MH) = 10 hours
Actinic (PC) = 11 hours
Fan = same as actinic, put it on the same circuit or timing (canopy fan pushing out)
Fan #2 = same as MH cycle, but on a temp trigger @ 83 degrees (this one blows over the sump)

Thats how I run mine. A few really big SPS people I know (several thousand gallon of prop tanks among them) only run their MH for around 5 hours. Most have them turn on their lighting @ around 5pm and run it till 10pm. One of them uses VHO actinics which he runs for an hour prior and an hour after MH lighting schedule. Corals need the intensity, not duration per say, or so I've been told over and over . I only run mine like I do cuz I like to view my corals alot My new large prop system will be run on the 5 hour photo period due to heat build up and my feed amount (I feed heaviliy with rotifers to maximize SPS growth). I plan on using 4x 400w MH, 4x 4' VHO actinic on a custom prop tank of 6' long x 4' wide x 15" tall euro braced 3 face tank (4x 5w Luxeon oonlights on a dimmer run only at non MH hours). The 4th face will be one giant overflow taking up the entire 4' space. That's to allow maximum overflow space so not as much water builds up in the tank and to quiet the 5000gph I will be pushing thru it It'll be skimmed by a Euroreef 8.3. and has a sump of 4' long x 2' wide x 2' tall. I figure since I'll have extra space under the stand (thats 4' tall) so I'm going to cram a few more smaller coral flats under it to be lit by T5's. Don't worry, pics will be uploaded once this system gets installed and wet

All the above systems have every type of coral & clam growing in them at a pretty good click.

[Plan2Build]

Thanks for the info Gresham......I was getting some information about having 14hours max lighting, but I thought that was a little much. The 5 hour routine for MH sounds about right now that I think about the suns max intensity during the day (when not to do outdoor work in my case)......

I am thinking about 12-14 hours for the PCs................

P2B

[Matt Rogers]

5 seems a little lite to me but if your other lights are strong then I guess it would work. No experience there for me though.

My last setup I ran MH about 8 hours with a couple hours of actinic.

This setup I go 11 on MH because it's the only light. It's just a 150 watt anyway.

For what it's worth..

[Plan2Build]

Thanks Matt.......

I was thinking of burning the MH's about 8 hr from 9AM to 5PM with the PC's coming on at 7AM for one circuit (Actinic and 10K) and 8AM for the second circuit (Actinic and 10K and Fan). Both circuits will turn off after 13 hours or 8PM and 9PM respectively.

I may adjust these proposed times to coincide with some nice viewing after work.......

Anyone else with suggestions or models?

P2B

[alarsuel]

I have:
PC's on at 10:30am
MH on at 11:30am
MH off at 9:30pm
PC's off at 11:30pm
Moonlight 11:30pm-10:30am

Works well for me although now that I look at it, I might cut it down a bit.

Hope this helps,

Aaron