Lights

[Lunareclipse]

How long do you leave your lights on? I leave mine on for 8 hours. Is that not enough? I know some fish come from around the equator and are used to 12 hours days. Should I program my lights to run on 11 or 12 hour days?

 

[lfsmarineguy]

It depends on the lights you are using and the corals. Photosynthesis is cumulative so lower lights left on for a longer period of time could approach the same effect of more intense lighting left on for a shorter photo period. Really it depends on your system more than anything.

 

[Lunareclipse]

I have a 150g with 400w metal halides.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

You just have to experiment a little. If you think the corals are doing well with your current photoperiod, than add or substract an hour here or there just to see if there is a difference so you can fine tune the time.

 

[Lunareclipse]

All I have is 1 2inch by 2inch leptastrea. I stuck him in the shade in medium flow. How can I tell if a leptastrea is doing poorly? Can someone post pics of a leptastrea that is healthy and one not very healthy so I can seee the difference. Mine looks good to me. It's all brown with green spots in the middle. Not very colorful, but I like him.