Light Duration?

I would like to have darkness in my reef so I was wondering how much darkness should I have? Right now all I have is a Bubble coral (green) and I'm planning to have is all soft corals generally SPS because I have a 29g.

 

Welcome to 3reef.

I would go no more than 10 hours total. Reefs at the equator get about 9 hours of light at the intensity that our light fixtures throw out.

 

Odd way to phrase that, but most run between 10-12 total hours of lighting, including just actinics.

 

Sorry about that. Didn't do so well in English. Okay so lets say I run it for the 10 hours including actinic. I have no lights on for 14 hours?

 

Yes correct.

 

Okay thank you!

Also another light question. I have refugium so it has a refugium light. I've read and have been told that you have refugium light on when the DT is off. Is this true?

 

It is a good idea and very popular. I do this with my set up.

 

Okay thank you!

I'm planning to get a Derasa in a couple of months. Does the 14 hour darkness harm the Derasa?

 

Not at all! Supposedly the reef only gets about 9 total hours of "useable" light each day. Regardless, people have been maintaining reef aquariums for years and years on 10 hour light periods

Edit: although I would warn you that most say that clams should only be added to a mature tank, around the 1 year mark. Just an FYI.

 

Awesome! Thank you Marshall O