reef lighting periods

I have a 120 gal which I just upgraded from 4 VHO to two 6,500K Iwasaki
250 W Metal Halides + two URI Super Actinic Fluorescent Bulbs. My questions are how long should I run the MH & VHO? I was thinking running the MH for 8 hours & the VHO for 10. Also I just set a refigium with Mangroves / Long Feather Caulerpa / Short Feather Caulerpa /& Tang Heaven. I put a 6700K 15W light on them 24/7. Will this be enough lighting for good growth?

Thanks

 

You have enough lighting for your refugium. And yes good idea to leave the light on 24/7 to eliminate an algae bloom in your main tank by your caluerpa.
As far as you leaving the main light on in your reef tank. 8-10 hours is plenty of time for your halides as well as with your vho's. What I like to do is leave the cooler, actinics on for atleast a half hour or so longer to represent dusk and dawn before and after the halides. Moonlite is nice through the night time for lunar activities.
By the way_WELCOME to 3REEF!!!Alot of great people with alot of knowledge and sincerity here!!!!Have any questions, insights or topics to share-we are all willing to listen!

 

thanks for the warm welcome & quick reply. I was thinking the same thing about put the actinic on 1 hour befor the MH and left them on 1 hour after. Then kick on the moon light.

 

It just helps to acclimate the reef to your lighting and better replicate the day and night cycle. Who knows you may even have some spawning going on with the moon lights at night!!!!!GOOD LUCK