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For those running MH only.. how many hours? (1 Viewer)

sleeri

sleeri

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Feb 8, 2008
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Chanhassen,MN
Just curious how many hours people are running their MHs? In particular, I'm interested in hearing from those that are only running MH. I'm gradually transitioning from a mixed reef to SPS heavy, so considering increasing my MH run time to 9.5-10 hours. At the moment, I run DE 250w 14k phoenix 8.5 hours. No other lighting. Thanks in advance for the feedback!
 
when I had my MH I ran it for 6 hrs. for the next 2 wks. to get my corals acclimated and then increase 30 mins per week after up to 8 hrs a day. I also had it about 1.5 ft high on a shallow setup. I also ran T5 atinics 12 hrs a day.
 
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I'd only run them 8 hours as well. I have stunner LED strips on my halide pendants to simulate the 2 hours dusk/dawn ramp time.
 
Thanks guys. I don't have any supplemental lighting on my display (T5/LED), so that's why I'm considering the increase. Maybe I'll just keep it at 9 for a while and see how things go.
 
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The supplemental lighting does little for the corals compared to the MH. They are more so for tweaking the spectrum to a color we prefer or to simulate a dawn/dusk effect.
 
yep. My LED strips are only meant to "wake" the tank up, instead of just on/off. Figured help keep fish from stressing, or possibly jumping due to sudden SUN ON mode.
 
Myclang said:
yep. My LED strips are only meant to "wake" the tank up, instead of just on/off. Figured help keep fish from stressing, or possibly jumping due to sudden SUN ON mode.
Click to expand...

lol... Fishes won't jump or stress from lights on/off. At least I don't see any crazy thing like that in my tank. T5s/LEDs supplement just for your reference view time without stressing corals out instead of increase MH photo period time.
 
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Sun up and down is more of a "Wake up call and time for bed call" Just like when I wake up on my own *more relaxed* compared to my wife "Biotch Slapping" me like my annoying buzzing alarm clock.

Anything to make it easier for your livestock and have more of a mother nature feel. All corals respond differently, clams will close up when 100% full lights turn on a dime, so its obviously a "Shock". Other corals can also close up zoas, palys, etc. eventually it will reopen as they get adjusted. They will get use to the environment you give them, but I'd prefer to have them slowly open and expand as oppose to closing up and then slowly open.
 
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I ran MH for 8-10 years ( mostly 400wers but everything from 150w on up ). During all that time, played with many lighting durations. I never found any in my situation that more hours was any more beneficial , made the color up any better or grow any faster ( while may technically that amount is not measurable/notacable. ) Now if your trying to push the limits of say 150/175mh you might want to the extra hours to compensate. But other than that, its' just to fit your schedule to make it the most enjoyable for you and keeping in mind the electrical costs and tank temperature.

No right or wrong answer and don't go into it expecting your running lights X% longer will directly correlate into the same X% of growth or color.
 
On my 180 i ran them for 6.5hr and were the only lights on the tank. Had awesome growth on corals and no algae.
 
6 on MH.. Today, accidently running 12...turned on for some routine and forgot to switched back to auto.
 
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