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timing for lights?

2K views 5 replies 2 participants last post by  Kellsindell 
#1 ·
What is the significance of timing, I dont know what I should adjust my timers on, Any information about timing for Lighting would be great! thank You
 
#2 ·
Very good question.

Timing is important as it's something that all living things need. We ourselves need a timer(sun light and night) to keep us aware of when to get up and when to rest. Fish and corals need the same. If you have a timer that is on for random times through the day, then corals and fish will have issues with a rest period and active period.

You need to put it on a time frame that works for you. If you want the lights to turn on from 9am - 6or 7pm, but you notice you don't get to see the tank, then you can change it to what ever time you wish, the important thing is to be consistent.

You don't want an extremly long photo period. You want to keep it from 8-10hrs with the main lights or 8hrs with main lights and 1hrs before and after with the actinics so it'll be on for 10hrs. I keep my lights like this. i run my lights from 11am (actinics) 12pm one main bulb 1pm 2nd main bulb, then they turn off at 8pm first bulb 9 2nd bulb and my actinics turn off at 10pm. I do this so i can see the tank while i'm at home.

Time is up to you, but consistent and not too long. If you leave the period too long, like 12-14hrs, corals don't have the chance to use the sugar they create from photosynthesis and won't grow like it is suppose to.
 
#3 ·
Oh wow thank you soo much Kellsindell, very well explained. I now got these 2 timers I dont know how to set yet, they are Grasslin auto timers CP-924 but I am not sure how to set them up since I got them with the new light kit I just got, and no instructions :(

But thank you for explaining!
 
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