photo period for new MH

[C J Rodders]

OK, I know this is old hat to most of you but please don't give up on me. I am so excited, I have just installed my new MH set up. Top of the range 2 x 250 w = 2 x actinic. My question is how long should I set the timers for. I have a 9 month mature mixed reef set up in a tank 48 x 18 x 30". high. The MH have now been in place for two weeks and I am yet to notice any significant change in growth, colour or vitality of the soft corals in the reef. At present, the set up is actinics star at 12 noon then the MH on at 2pm, MH off at 10pm followed by the actinic off at 11pm. Can I, or should I increase the photo period time for the MH to 10 hours or even longer? Fortunately, there does not seem to be a problem with over heating of the water.
Thanks,
CJ

 

[Anonymous]

leave it just where you are- and be patient :wink:

increasing the photoperiod is not connected to what you are looking for, imho-and may trigger hair/nuisance algae.

good things happen slowly..... it may be as long as a couple of months before you see a difference :wink: keep the chemistry up to snuff, and with your new lights, you'll get there-even with an 8 hr.photoperiod.

luck

 

[Anonymous]

I second what Vits said. Hang in there. My SPS growth did increase when I changed to MH. But it's not noticable in just two short weeks.

Hang in there! :wink:

Louey