4 on 8 off light cycle?

[the curious]

So...I recently heard about a 4 on 8 off light cycle. The reasoning seems to be that the corals can only perform photosynthesis for a 4 hour period, as well as that they do most of their actual growth in darkness. I am strongly considering this cycle, but I wanted to get some input/advise from anyone who knows more than I do about it or is actually doing this at the moment.

Thanks in advance

 

[thanh386]

Works well with halides, anything else kinda pointless

 

[the curious]

Thanh386;796866 wrote: Works well with halides, anything else kinda pointless

Why would anything else by pointless? I have LEDs over my system

 

[phishfoodie]

I am also thinking about going to this lighting schedule myself. Subscribing for more info. I'm not sure why it would be different for LEDs. My guess would be it would be fine either way, just makes more sense with mh because of heat and bulb life.

 

[stickx911]

I do it because my work schedule and tank schedule works better that way. I get to enjoy the tank no matter when I work as well as more often. The biggest issue I have is ambient light during one of the 8 off cycles that doesn't really get the tank "dark" but after about 3 weeks I've seen no negative effects plus algae reduction. I'm on LEDs if that matters.

I've not seen any change in growth, but then again I didn't get a lot before anyway, so I cannot attest to that.

 

[phishfoodie]

stickx911;796932 wrote: I do it because my work schedule and tank schedule works better that way. I get to enjoy the tank no matter when I work as well as more often. The biggest issue I have is ambient light during one of the 8 off cycles that doesn't really get the tank "dark" but after about 3 weeks I've seen no negative effects plus algae reduction. I'm on LEDs if that matters.

I've not seen any change in growth, but then again I didn't get a lot before anyway, so I cannot attest to that.

Thanks for the input. I think I may go ahead and try it due to the same reasoning (work schedule). I do have one question. Do you turn on your actinics earlier and later than the rest if your leds?

 

[stickx911]

I only have all on or all off control. (cheap, but awesome biocube upgrade kit). I just kept moon lights just so I can check for pests and movement in dark....so nope, just all on for ~4 and all off for ~8

Ambient light takes care of the warming up the tank with light for me so the corals never really get a dark to full bright shock.

 

[the curious]

Well, I started the cycle last night. It was awesome to wake up at 5am and have my tank be "awake" already. I'm setting the blues to come on 15 minutes before the whites in the early morning cycle, but not on the afternoon cycle. I agree that the ambient light should be enough to not shock the corals for the afternoon cycle.

With my schedule this is great. Even if I don't see an increase in coral growth...I'll see my tank more, which is awesome