lighting

[duke62]

ok i have a 250wx2 mh lighting system for my setup.my electric bill is getting hammered by this.is there another type of system i could use to lower my bill and keep my soft corals healthy and happy.i have a 110 deep .i have a few torchs and bubble coral some zoas mushroom a hammer to name a few. any ideas

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would just shorten the photo period a little.

 

[duke62]

well i set the actincs for 8:30 wake up call till 4:00 then the lighting comes on at 4 till 9:30 then actinics again for a half hour.is that to much if so what time would u do

 

[prattreef]

If you intend to stick with the types of organisms you mention, you could easily get away with 175w or even 150w MH. Nothing you note is particularly interested in high light.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would set the actinics for 1 hr before the halides come on and 1 hr after that's it.

 

[duke62]

so turn actinics on at 3:00 then mh at 4.and turn them off at the same time which will then be at 9 for mh 10 for actinics

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Duke like randy said too since there no super high light needing corals mentioned in your livestock list you might be able to get away with 150 or 175's. However if you plan on SPS in the near future I would keep the 250's.

What K mh bulb do you use? If 14k or higher I would turn the actinics on at 3 off at 4 mh's on at 4 off at 9 actinics on at 9 and off at 10. If you are using a 10k bulb I would not turn off the actinics while the mh lights are on.

 

[duke62]

thanks chief

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Duke let me say this. When I was chief of the FD everyone told me the same thing. If ex-chief Ed comes up to you and tells you to do something just do it don't question him. Randy "prattreef" is one of those guys on this site. Don't think bout his advice just do it.