Lighting

[Ter]

Hi

I just got my lighting up... this is what I have. Two 65 watt 10,000K and two 65 watt True Actinic 03 Blue straight pin base compact fluorescent lamps. Link
Its a 80 gallon tank US how long each light? and any pointers?
Thanks
Ter

 

[Lynden]

What kind of setup are you aiming for? I sorta hope it isn't a stony coral reef tank because I have that same wattage on my 55 gallon tank, and it's hardly enough.

But on to your question. Having visited a near tropical area (Hawaii), I can safely say that a 12 hour lighting period is ideal. What I do with mine is turn the Actinics only on to simulate dawn and dusk, and during the day, both the 10000k and Actinic are on. The moonlights (I assume you have them) go on at night. I read somewhere that the tank should be in complete darkness for an hour before the moonlights go on but I am too lazy to follow this

-Lynden

 

[SkiFletch]

That light will be suitable for soft corals and most LPS corals. SPS will struggle unless near the top of the aquarium and even then they'll probably brown out. Until I get my halides going I'm still using a similar fixture for my tank and my LPS do great under them.

 

[AMS]

Agreed, fine for softies and LPS but if your thinking SPS don't even attempt it under PC's.