Article: Staggered Lighting - why?

**melev** · 03-17-2010, 09:33 PM

You can view the page at http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.p...d-Lighting-why

**VitalApparatuz** · 03-18-2010, 05:27 AM

Ive cut my MH photoperiod down to 3-4 hrs a day.I run the actinic T5s for 8 hrs.I almost feel that I bought too much light (2 250's over a standard 75 gallon).I was burning the heck out of corals running MH for more than 5 hrs.Your way sounds intriguing but it does require that you have single ballasts for each lamp.Also I love the sunrise/sunset look of the staggered approach.BTW why no moonlights? Have you no romance?

**coigula** · 03-18-2010, 08:05 AM

Melev,

What is the name of the light meter in use? I am only aware of two brands being sold to hobbyists. I had to think that another option is 150 watt bulbs or even 70 watt bulbs run longer.

I recently converted 10 frags from someone else that used only blue t5's to DE 250W with a good reflector. It took three months and things didn't look so good for awhile. I knew I was in trouble when he told me Halides are a waste of PAR.

A light meter is one of the finishing touches on my system I might get but also might not get any new corals for a long time as I am pest free and enjoying it. I have new icecap light because I liked simple design. Reflector is better than 10 yo Aqualine Busche light but not as good as yours I'm sure. It had a narrow/medium dispersion that crosses other lamp at about 18" below surface. I run 250 watt bulbs (same ballast and plug alone), during day and run LED dawn/dusk and tun LED with t5 for viewing times in evening.

**VitalApparatuz** · 03-19-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by VitalApparatuz

Ive cut my MH photoperiod down to 3-4 hrs a day.I run the actinic T5s for 8 hrs.I almost feel that I bought too much light (2 250's over a standard 75 gallon).I was burning the heck out of corals running MH for more than 5 hrs.Your way sounds intriguing but it does require that you have single ballasts for each lamp.Also I love the sunrise/sunset look of the staggered approach.BTW why no moonlights? Have you no romance?

Ah I hadn't thought of being able to run both lights that way on a single ballast.The montage is excellent thanks!

**hardaur** · 03-18-2010, 09:48 AM

Excellent write-up. I've always staggard my lighting Actinics -> other T5s -> MH then reverse. But have been thinking about different things to do and the independent MH and "noon" concept I think gives me some inspiration ; )

Gerald

**melev** · 03-18-2010, 01:09 PM

VitalAppatuz - Since I run my refugium lighting on a reverse cycle (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) I get a tiny glow of light that makes it into the reef. It pretty much silhouettes the outline of the corals and rockwork. I've never felt the need for an actual moonlight. I do have the new LED retro lighting from IceCap to install over my reef, but I'm pretty sure they will run in conjunction with the VHOs. I'll have to decide what looks best when, and make sure I don't overpower the corals with the pinpoint light LEDs tend to produce. I have lots of ballasts, so turning each one on independently is simple. Some dual ballasts come with two power cords. Plug each cord into their own timer to control them one by one.

coigula - I'm using a digital meter by Apogee. It is held in place on a tripod, and the sensor is attached to an acrylic handle I fabricated.

The meter lets me measure the amount of light where the coral came from if I have it with me, like getting frags from a fellow hobbyist. It also lets me know how much light is in the tank, and if I need to make any adjustments. As bulbs age, the PAR drops. I can see when the bulb needs to be replaced, and also compare the old bulb to the new one in case I need to adjust the duration that the new bulb is on to avoid burning the corals' tips.

hardaur - Be sure to let us know how it works for you in a blog.

**bleachandvomit** · 03-18-2010, 03:24 PM

We need more articles like this one, actual number data and photos are much appreciated. I'm going to utilize something like this with some par38 lamps.

**Boulfish** · 03-18-2010, 06:08 PM

For the past 5 years my lighting has been the actinic are power compacts 96 watt that run 8am to 8 pm and the metal halides are 2 150 watt hqi and run 9am to 7 pm and the moons run 8pm to 8am, the refugium lights are on this time too.