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.