How much moonlight is too much

[Koyfam16]

All,

Forgive me if this has been answered/discussed already but I have always been hearing mixed thoughts on whether a tank should have complete darkness at some time or another.

Currently, I only have a 6 gallon fluval edge. In addition to my custom hood, I bought some blue and white led strips that I used around the hood.
I have been running the blue LEDs 24/7 with no issues with algae. Probably because these blue leds are probably only 1-2 watts, if so much.

Corals:
I have some zoas, torch, ricordea and xenia

Livestock:
1 ocellaris clown fish


Fish and corals have been doing great but I was advised that the tank needs complete darkness so the corals can rest. I did notice that my corals are open almost all the time especially the zoas.

Is there such a thing as too much moonlighting?

Edge :thanks:

 

[Og Drogon]

I've heard the same. So what I have started to do was keep the "moon lights" on for half the night and then complete darkness for the rest of the night. They are fully closed when I wake and seem more fuller when opened for the day.

 

[Gwiz3005]

Very good question! I have my moon lights on the whole night also (2-3 blue leds). Fish and coral seem pretty happy. But I have wondered if it would be better to turn them off at some point.

My fish go to sleep when the moonlights come on...so I guess they are getting the point.

 

[thirty6]

Very good question! I have my moon lights on the whole night also (2-3 blue leds). Fish and coral seem pretty happy. But I have wondered if it would be better to turn them off at some point.

My fish go to sleep when the moonlights come on...so I guess they are getting the point.

I wish my kids would get the point!

I had mine on a timer they were off a few hours a night, just something i did not sure science behind it. Corals were good until power went out and stayed out

 

[Koyfam16]

Yea my clownfish also finds his way to bed even with the moonlights. I decided to turn off the moonlights today and he almost flipped out...lol

I think he is used to the darkness now and almost all my corals have closed up.

I look forward to seeing their reaction when the lights come on...

Edge

 

[Koyfam16]

I have been doing some experimenting and I have noticed that my corals open up much bigger and brighter after leaving the tank dark for a few hours.