i need a good lighting schedule

[stashmoney82]

im in the process of going from a 55g to a 29g. 29 being my all time favorite tank size. i recently aquired a coralife hqi hang on fixture(14000k 150watt). i plan on using 2- 10 or 20 watt coralife screw in 50/50's for the day and night transitions. and then i have a strip of 6 blue led moonlights. i have a coralife digital timer which i think i can use for the monnlights and pc's, and i have a normal light timer which i can use for the halides. im just looking for the best schedule for lighting for good growth and minimal algae growth. thanks in advance.

[Grins]

I'd put the MHs on for about 8 hours and the actinics for 2 sessions of 2-3 hours each both overlapping the MHs. The moonlights the other 12-14 hours.

[buzzbombtom]

are moon lights that important? are actinics the same as a pc?

[Subliminal]

If I were you, and had a 29g tank and a metal halide setup, here's what I'd do:

Metal Halide on at noon and off at 9:30. I like it like that so that I get some time with my tank, instead of the lights being on in the morning when I'm not home.

Seeing as how you have a 14k bulb, I wouldn't even bother with the 2 50/50 screw ins.

My 29g has been going for a while and everything in it is loving the schedule I use. The only difference is I have a 175 SE setup, whereas you have a 150 DE setup. Not sure of the par difference, but I'd guess yours is pretty close to mine. ;)

[stashmoney82]

thanks for the replies. dont you think its kind of a shocker to go from moonlights to 150 w worth of halide lighting without a transition? if it wouldnt bother the fish, i think that would be great.

[stashmoney82]

i guess the house naturally getting brighter would make for a good transition. dont you think?

[Grins]

Yes, my MHs don't come on until 11AM so there has already been a bit of light in the area. Plus the MHs don't just go poof and they are, they warm up.

[stashmoney82]

if you put them on at 11am, when do you turn them off?

[Grins]

Mine turn off at 9PM.

[stashmoney82]

does that produce alot of algae? thats the only thing im worried about.

[Subliminal]

You've just got to use good water and watch your specs. You have to figure the area where most of our corals come from are down by the equator where it's 12 hrs of full sun most days.

[Grins]

does that produce alot of algae? thats the only thing im worried about.

Not so far. But light alone won't cause algae. It will aid it in growing if the nutrients are there though.

[stashmoney82]

thanks for the replies