how long to leave lights on?

[pinballtrader48]

I would appreciate some advice on how long to leave the lights on in my tank, given the amount and diversity of what I've got in there. I appreciate any advice. Currently I have 2 power compacts, 1 blue, 1 50-50. The 50/50 is on from 8:30 am until about 7-7:30pm. The blue is on 9-4. I have a 29 gal with @30 lbs live rock, clown, coral beauty, yellow tail damsel, 4 anemones (sebae, cold water, curly-cue that has split) about 6 crabs (4 hermits and a couple emeralds), 3 large 2 small mushrooms, and a bunch of coral polyps, red brain coral and 2 feather dusters. I use a dual penguin bio-wheel and a red sea prizm skimmer which runs 24/7. I am getting good growth on the polyps. The brain is holding steady. I am having the red algae problem some on the bottom sand particularly on the side I feed from. I admit to over-feeding, which I am correcting. I will cut it way down for the next few days and start cutting off my pumps 1st- it is all sinking before they can get it. I am about to start dosing kalk; I am evaporating about 1 gal every couple of days. I know that is a lot of stuff, (I'm getting away with murder in this tank..hehe)but I have no ammonia, nitrite, nitrates showing in tests. I get a good light green algae haze every 3 or 4 days on the glass, and I see some air bubbles on the sand and glaas, which makes me again think I am over-feeding.

 

[reefworm]

actinics 14 hours
daylights 12 hours

start/stop time your preference for viewing while you're up, etc.

Heavy feeding is good for your corals so long as you have good means of nutrient export - mature, thriving DSB and live rock, good skimmer and possibly macro algae harvesting. Bio-wheel is not necessary. Evap rates sound about right - dripping kalk will also help to precipitate phosphates.

regards,
-rw