How long should I leave the lights on ???

[firestorm]

Hi,
Just re-set up a 260 litre marine tank, bought it secondhand, tank, equipment, water, live rock, water, fish and coral !

There are 2 x 39W T8 10000K tubes and one 39W T8 atinic. My books say 12 hours. Coralwise I can identify the following : anchor coral, gorgonian (which looks dead, there are no polyps), sarcophyton (looks very healthy), theres loads of zoanthus sociatus, actinodiscus and similar on the live rock.

I've been checking ammonia, nitrites, phosphates and pH. Ammonia is dropping from 0.1 ppm to close to 0. from Saturday.

thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Hi firestorm and :welcome:

I would run the lights at least 12 hours per day, since you have minimum lighting for a reef.

I would look at getting some better lights too.

What are your tanks dimensions?

Louey

 

[Baianotang]

8-12

 

[firestorm]

Hello Louey,

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Dimensions, 1.2m x 0.6 x0.5.

I am looking at changing over to T5, with 4 x 39W tubes.

what do you think is better, 2 x white + 2 x blue or 3 w + 1 b ?

Anyone know of a good source of T5 compatible ballasts + endcaps ? Preferably in the UK or perhaps Europe, I guess p&p from USA is going to negate any savings ....

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not particularly familar with T-5 lighting. No personal experience with them, so I can say.

Lot of people on this board have used T-5's, so I am sure someone will chime in with some advice.

Louey