Lights,,,how long?

[Anonymous]

I have dual 175 halides over a 60 gallon tank. I also have access to 60 watts of NO. I have been using 30 watts of the NO with a strong blue tint as a night light.

Is 30 watts too much for a night light? How long should I leave the halides on? I plan to get some actinics later, but have no $ now.

 

[Texas2Turkey]

What do you currently have for stock?

And/or just as important what do you plan on keeping?

ie, softies, sps, lps... fish only

 

[Anonymous]

Right now, I have a regal tang, a clown, and a few small chromis. Plan on keeping everything eventually...right now, I just have softies.

 

[mountainbiker619]

Panacea,

Off topic, how far off from the water line are your MH's? How much heat do they add to the water when on?

David

 

[Anonymous]

The lights are 8 or 10 inches off of the water(cannot remember exact), and I have two big fans blowing in the canopy.

 

[Entacmaea]

Equitorial reefs get between 12-14 hours of daylight per day, year round...
I would shoot for at least 12 hours...

 

[wombat1]

You probably don't need a night light. If you get actinic PCs, you could probably run the MHs 8-10 hrs., and the PCs 12-14. Softies need less light than stony corals in general.