how long and what cycle is recommended?

i have the sundial T5HO 24" with 4 bulbs
2 actinic
2 daylights...

what is the best scenario for these to come on and off...

1 anenome bubble
couple frags that im starting of zoo
and live rock..
3 fish...1 coral beauty...2 damsels...

thanks
Wade

 

I run my lights 1 hour just actinics, 8-10 hours daylight and finish up with 1 hour of actinics.

 

There really isn't any "best scenario." Here's one that a few use.
Actinics On: 10am
Daylights On: Noon
Daylights Off: 7 pm
Actinics Off: 8pm.

Many try to simply mimic nature. As long as you come relatively close, you'll be ok. Just be consistent daily. Using timers is a great means to this end. Be fairly accurate with duration of light cycles, too. Dawn to dusk should be roughly 11-12 hours, and full-strength daylight should last about 6 or 7 hours. Use actinics for the dawn to dusk period, and utilize daylight lamps to get full-sun effect starting at about when the sun is at its highest (noon).

Depending on your needs, you can usually play with durations; making dawn to dusk; and daytime too, longer or shorter than nature.

Good luck!

 

I would agree with both above, but when you start playing don't make the photoperiod too long as studies have shown that 17hr+ lighting cycles start to mess up the process of mitosis in zooxanthellae which is NOT good. Stick with nature or heck even a 12 on 12 off scenario, then start to maybe say 12 hrs total of actinic and 6-10hrs of daylight.

Much of it is personal preference mixed in with the urge to replicate the natural cycles.

 

i agree with every thing above posted ... One other thing to, to consider is the temperature of your tank during your lighing period.. and of course temperature of what season it is meaning summer winter ect. That will effect how long also you runn your lights. To keep your tank at that optimum temperature...



Good Luck....