After taking a 8 year break from reefing I have been blessed with the ability to be able to get back into the Hobby. Started with a 5G pico reef and that little thing took off. Before i knew it i had picked up a great deal at my LFS for a 40Cube. I am for sure one of those reefers that runs my lights for way longer than I should and i have paid for it with a cyano bloom 5 months into my 40Cube. Also attributed to light distance from water level, intensity and from what I have learned here, photo-period. over the course of 3 weeks i have raised my hydra 26hd 3 inches to a total of 14" hight above, lowered intensity about 10 % and after watching this video I need to stop being so hard headed and give the tank the correct photo-period. Thanks for all your videos, I have learned so much from you and other channels. May the force be with you.
Wow ! Thank you so much. I just loved the video. I've been looking for someone to teach me about lighting for a long time and I finally stumbled into your videos by accident. You are very informative and straight to the point with the right dose of personal touch. Please, keep making your videos. Sincerely, Marc PS: don't pay attention on some of these comments in here.
Im not sure if i would agree with turning off each light from right to left i think just a sunset dimming would be more natural but either way i think neither would be doing anything less than great for the tank
Very good information. Thank you. I will have to watch it a couple of times to be sure I get everything you said, especially the light intensity and duration.Ted
I dont think that turning on or off one light at a time is mimicing the sun it just wakes up some of the fish on that side of the tank earlier while the others are still relaxing. With LED lights you can slowely increase the intensity of the light to mimic the rising sun and the opposite for sunset. Programable from your smart phone and you dont have to touch the lights again, you can even customize the spectrums. That being said this may be an older video and these techologies were not in use as much as they are now. You have a great tank! And i enjoy your videos immensely
I enjoyed the video. Thumbs up from me, I will be ramping up the whites on my LEDS for the coral growth. Im running AI SOL BLUEs w/T5s. Great video, Thank You!
I run my Radions in 6500k mode from 8am to 5pm with and hour and a half ramp up and down. I also recently added a supplemental T5 HO blue actinic bulb that runs from 10am to 3pm for added blues as an experiment to see if growth and overall coral color is enhanced over time....Love your tank btw, Ive always wanted a big naso but have yet to buy a tank big enough for one to live comfortably in.
New favorite channel! So much info. And you always seem so positive/happy 👍🏻👍🏻 random to say I know lol. Also that's genius to stagger your lighting like that. I've never really heard of anyone doing that before. The closest I've seen to people simulating that kind of idea is when people do it with programmed multiple-linked LED fixtures
Great info, really like your lighting cycle! Those are some high tech MH bulbs. I have 2 channel LEDs that I have set up on 2 separate channels on my RKE. I have some light that naturally comes in from a window for a few hours before my blues turn on at 9am. They stay on and at 11am my whites turn on until 7pm and then it's back to just blues until 9pm. From 9pm to 9am the reef is sleep. (12 hour on/off lighting cycle lol)
Hi Marc and thanks for yours advice,is a pleasure to hear, you but i have a question.... , how many times you put the algae inori? in your tank , every day, twice a week.. Yes, yes every day your money can by... But.....? But...? Tank you men and go on... For yours 10 years tanks aniversary.... Go ooooonnnn
Hi, I am starting back with getting a saltwater tank, with a 7 yr span of not having one. I am getting a 120 gal tank, it will be 48" x 24" x24". I will have (2) Kessils on goosenecks. I work during the day and when I get home I would like to see my tank brightly. I am not too crazy about looking at it with blue lighting. Will this mess up the time schedule for my reef?
+Vickie Drouin Which model Kessil lights did you decide upon? The 360s? If you work during the day, why not have the lights start around 3pm and turn off around 10 or 11pm? That would be just fine. It won't mess up your reef. The tank may get some ambient daylight before your Kessils turn on.
I just watched video and I just started back up in the hobby. I purchased a fluval nano sea led light for my soon to be nano reef. So If I listened correctly. I wanna start my cycle when the sun comes up and have it ramp up from 0% to 100% at 11am-1pm then ramp back down from 100% to 0% at dusk? Then a night light for an hour or two?
No, I don't believe that you heard correctly. Plan on a total photo-period to be about 9 hours per day. I'd suggest starting them at 1pm, and off about 10pm so you can enjoy your aquarium for the entire evening after you get home from work. Or if you work third shift, move the lighting to what is your time around the tank. Regarding percentages, that is something you have to determine. Hardly anyone runs lights at 100%.
Another great video thanks for sharing! What do you suggest for someone with a 60 cube running a single 250w 14k fixture. I run a strip with 7 3w royal blue leds for an hour before and an hour after the halides with 8 hours of halide in between. The new tank is going to be a mixed reef. Do you think the leds are enough to not shock the coral with too much light?
There's not a lot of control you can have with the lighting you own, unless there's some type of option to dim or ramp up the LEDs somehow? Corals will adjust to the light. All new corals should be placed on the sand for the first week or two, then moved up a little. This gives them time to adapt over time and avoid bleaching.
Great tips Marc. I would love your feedback, I own a 6 bulb 48" 324watt T5 fixture over a 55 gallon new reef. Only green star polyp and bubble tip anemone in there. I ran it from 7am-7pm. From 7-11am are 3 actinics from 11am-4pm all 6 bulbs, from 4pm-7pm 3 actinics. Any suggestions? How would your photoperiod look with a fixture like mine? Thanks a bunch.
Mike Maponga How is the tank holding up? Are you dealing with algae issues? Are the corals happy and healthy? If all looks well, you probably don't need to change a thing.
Really interesting, thanks for all your videos. I have a 6ft fresh water heavily planted tank, would you think your way could give a better result? I'm talking about simulating from sunrise to sunset. I would not use the same temperature Kelvin of course as the need for the plant is different. Thanks
It’s really a visual effect for me, and it’s an acquired taste. I’ve done this for over a decade and my reef has grown exceptionally well. There’s no detrimental response to staggered lighting, livestock-wise. Let me know how you like it.
Thanks for your answer. I really love it, that's why i was asking. I think i will setup something like that. It will be easy for a 6ft freshwater just 2x 2ft led or fluo at each side plus my main I think it will look great. Your videos definitely made me wanting to setup a reef tank, it will be for this year. I have a 4ftx2ftx2ft sleeping in the garage, it should be pretty nice to learn salt water.
Hi thanks for the video I love li I’m a busy guy with a 8 -5 job but I wanna buy something same like you explained for my nano 10 g tank Is there anything
Hey, Nice video! Thanks for sharing. Im still new to the Hobby I just bought a JBJ 45 Nano Cube and its all set up and cycled. With Paired clowns. I also have a Pistol shrimp and gobby pair in my 5 gallon tank that i plan on adding to the 45 as soon as I Handle the spike from the Clowns. As for lighting I have a AquaticLife Halo Deluxe LED Light. But I've been looking all around to find a good setup video. Have you ever worked with one or would you recommend anything else. I want to be able to program it also would like it to be able to grow with me when i decide to get a bigger tank.
+melevsreef Yea I have a Channel 1(Ocean Blue Light), Channel 2 control (High Kelvin White light) ,A Moon light phase as well as sunrise/ sunset for both Channel1 and 2. I also have 2 master knobs, One controls the Intensity from (0-100) and the other controls the Spectrum. Ive looked everywhere to find how someone set theirs up. The store I bought it from didn't tell me much but to not go over 50/50 on the power. I can cook the corals but its not the biggest problem at this time for be because I only have the Live rock and the Clown pair
+NEF Photography and Media Since you control it with knobs, I don't know that you can allow it to increase gradually each day and then ramp down again. That's one of the benefits of other lighting, like the Radion I run. Here's the graph of the one I have set up currently. melevsreef.com/pics/15/9/wmx-radion-schedule.png
Hi,. I start a nem tank for my son.. I just got a AI HD prime led light. I try many a couple light schedules for my nems tank. doesnt seem they light that light schedule. Do u have a light schedule for my AI HD prime. PLEASE HELP> MY SON WANTS A NEMS TANK LIKE U>
Hey Malev I just did a homemade LED hybrid setup over my 55g reef. I can control each set at any start to end frame in a 24Hr period. I’m very happy I can do this. First set - Blue plus and Purple Plus (10:00-21:00) Second set - Blue plus and Blue plus (11:00-20:00) Third set - LED Day time (12:00-1900) Forth set - Moon light (21:00-03:00) I like your time frame but I’m lost to how long to run each set of lights for. May you please provide me a time frame for each set to start to end? This would help me greatly and I believe in your reason to do this. Thank you so much!
I love all your videos, However I have question about double arc bulb you showed in this video, this is change from 10k to 20k or you have change this manually if so how? I have same bulbs and they are 20k/20k and I have not set up the halide fixture yet but curious to know how this is going to work.
I'd keep it around 8 hours per day, maybe 9 at the most. If you started the lights around 1pm, you'd have a nice view in the evening until about 10pm. You could run the LED portion as a moonlights for one or two hours, then let your reef rest in total darkness.
Do you have any Raidion programs that work for you that you could share with me. Im having the worst luck trying to find one that works for my 110 Mixed Reef.... Thanks
IDK, I think you are overthinking this, unless you have some really touchy corals they'll do fine with a simple on/off timer without monkeying with adjusting the lights. Been doing that with my tank for over 2 years (has soft, LPS and SPS) and they grow fine/survive fine. I'm sure they may grow a bit better using your method, but if your corals are healthy they aren't going to be damaged or killed by turning the lights on/off normally with a timer.
I really enjoyed the video. I've been playing with my light periods in an attempt to mimic seasonal photo periods. I've heard some corals display better coloring during the shorter days of winter. I don't know if this is the length of day or the intensity and quality of light during fall and winter. Do you have any knowledge or experience along these lines? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on effects of lighting on coral coloration.
Seasonal is tough, as where we live doesn't match where many of our corals originated (unless all you have are frags from hobbyists). The days are shorter in North America this time of year, in comparison to daylight beneath the equator. If you opt for a shorter period of light daily, say 5 hours instead of 9, then increasing the intensity gradually could work in your favor - if you don't push too far. These are living animals, some hardier while others are more delicate and may not tolerate our exploring nature as pseudo-scientists/mad hobbyists. ;) We can't compare our corals to tree leaves (cold weather + sugars = colorful fall foliage), for example. Changes you make today may not visibly show any effect for a few weeks, and if something goes wrong it will take many weeks for the affected corals to rebound and heal up again - if they survive at all. I've never changed my light period based on season, although the Apex controller does change twice a year for Daylight Savings Time. Typically corals that receive too much light can appear more pale and drab. If you want to measure results, I'd use a specific method like reducing the photo period 15 minutes for an entire week, and compare. Then shave off another 15 minutes and let a week elapse again to see how your reef responds. You can take pictures and compare those photographs against each other if that is easier for you. Let me know what your results are. Lastly, keep an eye on tank temperature. Shorter lighting periods could result in a cooler tank if you use metal halides. A dip in temperature can also affect coral health and coloration. Stability & consistency is often the best course of action.
That's why I love LED lighting it perfectly simulates from dusk till Dawn so it's more natural I have my razor r420r programed to be at full intensity at mid day. That's something you can't to with halide vho or pc bulbs As perfect as you can do with full LED lighting
With 6-6.5 hrs of MH light running & not 10-12 hrs, are you getting more usage out of the bulbs? How often do you change the bulbs out? Can you go over a year with the same bulbs on this lighting schedule?
18" from the bulb itself to the surface of the water. 16" from the glass shield in the Lumenbright reflector. These reflectors are excellent. ruclips.net/video/MMvIWme87qQ/видео.html
I was reading some wheres to where a lot of the corals we have are in the blue spectrum in the ocean anyways seeing as the seawater diffuses the light spectrum the deeper you go.
The visible spectrum we see as you go deeper is blue, or perhaps we aren't seeing the rest of the colors... I can't recall that for sure. But most corals we get grow somewhere between 30' and 60' of water, and of course some are shallower. But blue lighting isn't the only one we should use.
Yeah I usually run my kessil with the whites and blues both going. I do use more blues than whites though but have been slowly turning up my whites over time to see how they react.
Mind helping me out with my light schedule? I'm using a single Kessil a80 in a 40g. I'm just stocking very easy to care for soft corals, but I was light schedule because it comes with intensity and color options which is a bit confusing since I know corals like a certain spectrum of light and a good light schedule. I'll take any help I can get. Thanks again.
That light doesn't give you a lot of options. Basically pick the color you prefer to look at the most, and set the duration to 8-9 hours a day. Daylight encourages better growth, and the bluer spectrum adds color. Perhaps use daylights during the day when you are away, then when you get home turn it more blue for personal enjoyment?
Stephen Heavens That is a magnetic feeding clip, one designed for 3/4" thick glass. I sell it here: melevsreef.com/catalog/megaveggiemag I also have the normal sized one for more common aquarium glass thickness: melevsreef.com/catalog/veggiemag
I use a Evergrow it2040 8" above a 44gal upright.. the water between highest rock and water level is 9".... my lights should be powerful enough yes? I run them on the factory setting for 12/24 hr setting
melevsreef If you where any more of a geek Stereotype you would explode into pure geek essence!!! Good videos brother. Keep up the good work and god bless.
3578lehcar The VHOs turn on at 11am and turn off at 10pm. The MH are running a staggered schedule as described in the video. First MH turns on at 1pm, second at 2:15pm, third at 3:15pm, and each bulb runs 6 hours from their respective starting points. Moonlighting from 10pm to 11pm, then darkness for the night. You can see the graph in this video at 3:20-3:36.
Beautiful tank btw! But outta curiosity did you say you light your refugium for 8 to 9 hours? What type of lighting do you use for all that green growth? Have you ever had problem with cyano growing because of too much light?
I run 6500 Kelvin LED lighting over it, and no it doesn't cause cyano bacteria to grow (or bloom, which is what you probably meant when you see the red slime covering the sand & rocks). Yes, I run them about 9 hours a day. Here's another LED light I use over my other refugium, I did a review here: www.melevsreef.com/articles/product-review-reefbrites-lumilite
Thanks Melev. I just started using LED lighting, (For the brightness), Zoo Med. What do you mean when you say replace? The instructions say I can replace the les modules when the intensity starts to go. Very impressive lighting regimen you have by the way. 😜
Shahin Ruyani Replace as in upgrade to the latest version or newest gear each year. For you to enjoy real savings, you'd have to keep your LED fixture for many years. If you keep upgrading, you won't really save money long term.
Great info; love all your videos!! ... What is your opinion on running red, green, and UV LED's? I am experimenting with my AI Prime's and opinions are mixed on this topic. Thank you !
I've been running VHOs for well over a decade. I think all the way back to 2004 or sooner. But I just upgraded those with some Reefbrite XHO LED fixtures and I'm very impressed. The next video I release is about those.
Hey melv, Really enjoy your videos and work! I have a gorgeous 80*80*45 cube, its just a centre island rock scape covered in Inferno Anemones! With a few clowns, I have a Gen2 pro radion fixture above the tank, And i know its abit much to ask but would you/could you create me a light schedule for my radion??
+Shane Reich You can take a look at this graph: melevsreef.com/pics/15/9/wmx-radion-schedule.png And here's my schedule as programmed into the Apex: Radion_6_17 12:56 0% Custom (75,75,100,100,100,0) 14:00 31% Custom (75,77,100,100,100,35) 15:31 57% Custom (0,0,100,100,0,44) 16:48 70% Custom (62,75,100,100,100,55) 18:01 78% Custom (45,60,100,100,100,40) 19:15 69% Custom (35,50,75,75,75,39) 21:00 37% Deep Blue (45,45,100,100,100,22) 22:13 15% Deep Blue (0,0,0,100,100,0) 23:38 0% Custom (0,0,0,100,100,0)
hey I'm a new subscriber and I'm new the the hobby with my first nano 20. thank you for all the great info your putting out. I recently got the AI Prime LED. and I was wondering if you had any experience or know anyone that can help me with the light setting on it besides the easy setting that comes with it. thank you for your help
Hey can help me out i have at 29 g reef and i just purchased at prime HD light and i work during the day so i juts wanna know how long should i run my LEDS
For those of us who can't afford those extremely expensive LED light systems, which one would you suggest? I was thinking about the Marineland Reef LED lighting system. I also don't want to consume a lot of electricity. However, I want the crisp and shimmering light
+Jake Carpenter There are so many lights on the market, but it doesn't have to break the bank account. Kessil and Aqua Illumination are a couple of popular brands you might consider. I don't think you'll be happy with the Marineland light though, unless your tank is shallow and small. I've seen it in person and it just didn't seem to have the same intensity as other brands available. What corals are you keeping?
+melevsreef I have always had a saltwater tank. But when I moved from Baltimore to Rehoboth Beach DE I had to start from scratch. I have a 60 gallon tall (Petsmart Tank with stand) deal. Right now I just have saltwater and NOTHER more at this point. I work at a non profit and I need a light that can do 36-48" long of a tank. I'm dying for a new lighting system. However I just can't find one that I know will give me that shimmer and brightness that I want that wont make me go broke
+Jake Carpenter The AP700 will do what you want, but it will make you go broke for sure. :) www.melevsreef.com/catalog/ap700-controllable-led-aquarium-light
I have the Radion XR30W Pro Led Light on an Innovo Peninsula Aquarium 20 gallon. I know I got more light than I need running LPS and being new at reef tanks I set my intensity like 15 %. Not having a parr meter everything seems fine but I wonder if I am under doing my potential but being cautious to not harm the coral being a shallow tank. Maybe I will have to get a par meter at tax time to be sure. Anyone have any thoughts?
Heck of a light for a 20g. ;) If the livestock is doing well, no reason to change anything. It would be good to know what PAR readings you are getting; you could let others know what works well in they were dealing with similar circumstances.
Refugium zone, Euroreef protein skimmer (same one since 2004), calcium reactor and a reactor with granulated activated carbon (GAC), and three 300w heaters.
I'm using Lumenbright pendants with Reefbrite ballasts and TwinArc bulbs. Here's the video about the Lumenbrights and you can see my lightrack too. ruclips.net/video/MMvIWme87qQ/видео.html
I find it funny how this has become such a big subject. I use the AI Prime HD's (2) but many of the corals we see now have been aquaculture grown and have never seen the sun and probably never will. How many years have people used T5 and MH with much success and is simply an on/off mode? Neat feature for us but does it truly matter to the coral? I highly doubt it.
I appreciate your point. I was hoping to illustrate my own logic on this topic, which has clearly worked for my reef. Did you happen to see my recent video with the corals we pulled out? They grew massive under this same lighting method/schedule. ruclips.net/video/PrE5RXLRwNA/видео.html
A couple of 16" fixtures would work, but centering a 21" fixture over your aquarium should look nice as well. Keep them about 9" off the water (or higher) and remember less light intensity during the first few weeks (or months) is better than too much light.
Shouldn't matching the lighting cycle from where the coral actually originate from, like the tropics? Instead of matching it with a more temperate climate.
melevsreef Hi Marc - Thanks for sharing all of this great information. I've had a FOWLR tank for about 6 years, it's only in the past 3-4 months that i've started keeping a variety of SPS, LPS, and softie corals. I'd be interested in the Radion graph as well if you'd be willing to email me a copy too. Would this schedule work for corals or do you have it set for just the anemone tank? Thanks!
a good concept do do the moving sun-but 6 or 8 feet of reef get similar amounts of light-if you had a football field sized tank it would begin to matter. Thats not intended to be critical in any way- just a different view.
melevsreef Sorry for asking so many questions haha, but does the blue light excite colors while it is on or does it make the coral get brighter and moro colourful it's self.
I really like your videos and value your opinion so I wanted to ask you your thoughts on this I run my lights 12 hours a day but let me explain before you say that's too long I mean I know it is a very long photo. But the lights come on at 9 a.m. At 1% intensity by 11 o'clock AM the lights are at 15% intensity and they run a really dimish blue like a real subtle blue by 12 o'clock they're at their max intensity for the day which is 65% insensitive that carries over for 6 hours and then it started to descend by 7 o'clock they are at 40% intensity and they are at that real subtle blue color and then they continue to go down in intensity from there by 9 o'clock they're off I just wanted your thoughts on this I've been running this light cycle for a year over my 65 gallon mixed reef I run the Ecotech radion gen3 pros do you think running it like this would still be too much on a 12 hour cycle I was trying to implement longer photoperiods found over some reefs in nature any input you could add would be highly appreciated thank you so much really enjoy your videos happy reefing
Since you've been running it like this for a year, the question is how do your corals look? If they are doing well, colorful and growing, you might as well continue to use what has worked well for you. I do hope you provide your fish & corals with total darkness to rest overnight. :)
yes I provide darkness for 12 hours and the corals have good color and are growing pretty good thank you for your thoughts that makes sense to stick with what has been working for me
The refugium is a zone within the sump beneath the aquarium. 25% of the tank water drains into that zone, and a LED light above it provides 6500K lighting for 9 hours daily. This is what allows the plants to grow.
Is there any science to back up the claim that the speed in which the lighting reaches the coral actually damages it? I also do not see how staggering the light is supposed to simulate anything. On a reef, the entire reef is basically going to get light at the same time, and any "rising" would take a matter of a second to stagger across a small area.
If trying to simulate nature, why 10k first then 20k? Wouldn't 10k better simulate middle of the day when the light is more overhead? Personally I like the 10-15k lighting with some actinic supplementation. This super blue LED stuff that seems to become the norm is ugly IMO...but that's just me.
It would make more sense if the halide on the right started at 20k then go 10k as this would be more gradual. Then back to 20k as the lights dim again. Btw get some solar panels on your roof and your tank will be free to run during the day!
I love that idea, so as it hits high noon it's brighter and more white. However, I'm working with the lights I have. Since the making of this video, I swapped out my VHO light bulbs to some XHO LEDs from Reefbrite, and the blue hue that they put out exceeds what the VHO actinics were doing previously. I like the idea of solar panels, but I do live in the "hail capital of the world" hehehe. Maybe some day I'll add some, but for now my electric bill really isn't bad at all.
Would be cool to see a vlog about your thoughts on the LED’s and any changes you observe! Electricity is expensive in Oz and solar is now very affordable . We don’t get much hail though and plenty of sun. I also feel better knowing my electricity demands are not producing CO2 and this was a big factor for me. Also means I am putting more powerful lights and flow for my new 30gal I’m building without the extra cost of running ;)
That's interesting how you stagger the halide duration to simulate the sun's arc. There's just one thing that bugs me, and that's the difference between the sun's position in relation to a given coral on a real reef, and the staggered activation of multiple lights (halides in this case) that sit *directly above the tank*. Your 1pm to 7pm halide as an example: what ever coral is sitting directly under it is actually experiencing 6 hours of "high noon" intensity light. It's to be expected of course since that light has one setting, and cannot "orbit" the tank the way the sun moves across the sky. Even if it could, bear in mind that the sun's distance relative to the Earth means that you have a massive expanse of area that perceives the sun in a given location at a given time; something that is near impossible to replicate in aquaria. If we then concede that it is the _intensity_ of light used that matters more than the direction it's coming from, would you not be achieving a closer representation of a real world photo period with overhead lights that change their intensity over the course of the day, rather than their position (via staggered lighting)? Anyway I understand that this decision may have been based on the technological limitations imposed by on/off lighting equipment. If not, and considering the differences between the sun's arc and aquarium lights, do you have any reasons to suggest that staggered lighting may trump a bunch of overhead lights that vary their output at the same times each day (like LED products)?
B.S.... every reef tank ive had i put my t5s on a basic wall timer, they come on full intensity for 7.5 hours, and then turn off. No ramp up or down, its not needed. My tanks are amazing.
I'm glad your reefs look great. With T5s you don't have the flexibility of LED technology to ramp up and ramp down lighting, nor the ability to change spectrums throughout the day. As you said, they are on at full intensity. You can select which specific bulbs to light at a certain time for different visual appearances (dusk in the morning and evenings, for example). With MH, I'm happy to attempt to mimic the light moving across my tank each day. The nice thing about this hobby is the abundant choices we all have, allowing us to pick and choose what we prefer best.
You aren't the first person to say they are reverting from LED to T5 or MH bulbs. I'm running MH and LED (xhos) over my 400g now. I posted a video about the switching from VHO to LED about 10 months ago. I love the XHOs, and I really had serious doubts about them initially. So glad I was wrong. :)
The Apex controller is made by Neptune Systems. It's what I plug a lot of my gear into. This page should give you a good overview: melevsreef.com/tanks/aquarium-apex-controller
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
After taking a 8 year break from reefing I have been blessed with the ability to be able to get back into the Hobby. Started with a 5G pico reef and that little thing took off. Before i knew it i had picked up a great deal at my LFS for a 40Cube. I am for sure one of those reefers that runs my lights for way longer than I should and i have paid for it with a cyano bloom 5 months into my 40Cube. Also attributed to light distance from water level, intensity and from what I have learned here, photo-period. over the course of 3 weeks i have raised my hydra 26hd 3 inches to a total of 14" hight above, lowered intensity about 10 % and after watching this video I need to stop being so hard headed and give the tank the correct photo-period. Thanks for all your videos, I have learned so much from you and other channels. May the force be with you.
Good thinking, young padawan. ;)
Melevsreef, don't listen to them all, white daylight looks waaaaaaaaaay better than blue!!!
Just linked my radions to my Apex and was trying to find that sweet spot of duration,intensity and color. Very helpful and insightful video! Thanks!
Let me know what you decide upon and why.
I'm watching this and I don't even have a saltwater tank. Fascinating and your tanks looks fantastic. Cheers
Thanks for watching. :)
Oysterman No I get in the hobbie
informative thanks! love white light, im new to the hobby and trying to figure out a schedule that works with mine.
Thank you for all your videos , I have learned a lot from you and my tank is doing so much better. Keep it up!
Wow ! Thank you so much. I just loved the video. I've been looking for someone to teach me about lighting for a long time and I finally stumbled into your videos by accident.
You are very informative and straight to the point with the right dose of personal touch. Please, keep making your videos. Sincerely, Marc PS: don't pay attention on some of these comments in here.
Im not sure if i would agree with turning off each light from right to left i think just a sunset dimming would be more natural but either way i think neither would be doing anything less than great for the tank
Very good information. Thank you. I will have to watch it a couple of times to be sure I get everything you said, especially the light intensity and duration.Ted
I dont think that turning on or off one light at a time is mimicing the sun it just wakes up some of the fish on that side of the tank earlier while the others are still relaxing. With LED lights you can slowely increase the intensity of the light to mimic the rising sun and the opposite for sunset. Programable from your smart phone and you dont have to touch the lights again, you can even customize the spectrums. That being said this may be an older video and these techologies were not in use as much as they are now. You have a great tank! And i enjoy your videos immensely
I enjoyed the video. Thumbs up from me, I will be ramping up the whites on my LEDS for the coral growth. Im running AI SOL BLUEs w/T5s. Great video, Thank You!
I run my Radions in 6500k mode from 8am to 5pm with and hour and a half ramp up and down. I also recently added a supplemental T5 HO blue actinic bulb that runs from 10am to 3pm for added blues as an experiment to see if growth and overall coral color is enhanced over time....Love your tank btw, Ive always wanted a big naso but have yet to buy a tank big enough for one to live comfortably in.
Dam that's intense white light
New favorite channel! So much info. And you always seem so positive/happy 👍🏻👍🏻 random to say I know lol.
Also that's genius to stagger your lighting like that. I've never really heard of anyone doing that before. The closest I've seen to people simulating that kind of idea is when people do it with programmed multiple-linked LED fixtures
Thanks! Every video I share typically has some small useful tip buried like an easter egg. Enjoy finding them all. :)
melevsreef -holy shit that was also a super fast response. Another plus! 😂😂😂
I take care of my channel. :)
Great info, really like your lighting cycle! Those are some high tech MH bulbs. I have 2 channel LEDs that I have set up on 2 separate channels on my RKE. I have some light that naturally comes in from a window for a few hours before my blues turn on at 9am. They stay on and at 11am my whites turn on until 7pm and then it's back to just blues until 9pm. From 9pm to 9am the reef is sleep. (12 hour on/off lighting cycle lol)
Nice tank..I live close to premium aquatics in Indiana and they have some nice gear in there. I also buy all my corals from them.
That's very convenient!
Thanks Marc, great vids! Ive got alot of great information from your channel over the years. Cheers!
Hi Marc and thanks for yours advice,is a pleasure to hear, you but i have a question.... , how many times you put the algae inori? in your tank , every day, twice a week.. Yes, yes every day your money can by... But.....? But...? Tank you men and go on... For yours 10 years tanks aniversary.... Go ooooonnnn
Hi, I am starting back with getting a saltwater tank, with a 7 yr span of not having one. I am getting a 120 gal tank, it will be 48" x 24" x24". I will have (2) Kessils on goosenecks. I work during the day and when I get home I would like to see my tank brightly. I am not too crazy about looking at it with blue lighting. Will this mess up the time schedule for my reef?
+Vickie Drouin Which model Kessil lights did you decide upon? The 360s? If you work during the day, why not have the lights start around 3pm and turn off around 10 or 11pm? That would be just fine. It won't mess up your reef. The tank may get some ambient daylight before your Kessils turn on.
I just watched video and I just started back up in the hobby. I purchased a fluval nano sea led light for my soon to be nano reef. So If I listened correctly. I wanna start my cycle when the sun comes up and have it ramp up from 0% to 100% at 11am-1pm then ramp back down from 100% to 0% at dusk? Then a night light for an hour or two?
No, I don't believe that you heard correctly. Plan on a total photo-period to be about 9 hours per day. I'd suggest starting them at 1pm, and off about 10pm so you can enjoy your aquarium for the entire evening after you get home from work. Or if you work third shift, move the lighting to what is your time around the tank.
Regarding percentages, that is something you have to determine. Hardly anyone runs lights at 100%.
Another great video thanks for sharing! What do you suggest for someone with a 60 cube running a single 250w 14k fixture. I run a strip with 7 3w royal blue leds for an hour before and an hour after the halides with 8 hours of halide in between. The new tank is going to be a mixed reef. Do you think the leds are enough to not shock the coral with too much light?
There's not a lot of control you can have with the lighting you own, unless there's some type of option to dim or ramp up the LEDs somehow? Corals will adjust to the light. All new corals should be placed on the sand for the first week or two, then moved up a little. This gives them time to adapt over time and avoid bleaching.
melevsreef
BTW> Your tank is breathtaking!!!
Great tips Marc. I would love your feedback, I own a 6 bulb 48" 324watt T5 fixture over a 55 gallon new reef. Only green star polyp and bubble tip anemone in there. I ran it from 7am-7pm. From 7-11am are 3 actinics from 11am-4pm all 6 bulbs, from 4pm-7pm 3 actinics. Any suggestions? How would your photoperiod look with a fixture like mine? Thanks a bunch.
Mike Maponga How is the tank holding up? Are you dealing with algae issues? Are the corals happy and healthy? If all looks well, you probably don't need to change a thing.
Really interesting, thanks for all your videos.
I have a 6ft fresh water heavily planted tank, would you think your way could give a better result?
I'm talking about simulating from sunrise to sunset. I would not use the same temperature Kelvin of course as the need for the plant is different.
Thanks
It’s really a visual effect for me, and it’s an acquired taste. I’ve done this for over a decade and my reef has grown exceptionally well. There’s no detrimental response to staggered lighting, livestock-wise. Let me know how you like it.
Thanks for your answer.
I really love it, that's why i was asking.
I think i will setup something like that. It will be easy for a 6ft freshwater just 2x 2ft led or fluo at each side plus my main I think it will look great.
Your videos definitely made me wanting to setup a reef tank, it will be for this year. I have a 4ftx2ftx2ft sleeping in the garage, it should be pretty nice to learn salt water.
Hi thanks for the video I love li
I’m a busy guy with a 8 -5 job but I wanna buy something same like you explained for my nano 10 g tank
Is there anything
Can you explain yourself further? I don't understand the question.
Hey, Nice video! Thanks for sharing. Im still new to the Hobby I just bought a JBJ 45 Nano Cube and its all set up and cycled. With Paired clowns. I also have a Pistol shrimp and gobby pair in my 5 gallon tank that i plan on adding to the 45 as soon as I Handle the spike from the Clowns.
As for lighting I have a AquaticLife Halo Deluxe LED Light. But I've been looking all around to find a good setup video. Have you ever worked with one or would you recommend anything else. I want to be able to program it also would like it to be able to grow with me when i decide to get a bigger tank.
Welcome to the hobby. How much control do you have over it? More than on and off?
+melevsreef Yea I have a Channel 1(Ocean Blue Light), Channel 2 control (High Kelvin White light) ,A Moon light phase as well as sunrise/ sunset for both Channel1 and 2. I also have 2 master knobs, One controls the Intensity from (0-100) and the other controls the Spectrum.
Ive looked everywhere to find how someone set theirs up. The store I bought it from didn't tell me much but to not go over 50/50 on the power. I can cook the corals but its not the biggest problem at this time for be because I only have the Live rock and the Clown pair
+NEF Photography and Media Since you control it with knobs, I don't know that you can allow it to increase gradually each day and then ramp down again. That's one of the benefits of other lighting, like the Radion I run. Here's the graph of the one I have set up currently. melevsreef.com/pics/15/9/wmx-radion-schedule.png
can you give us the link for where to buy that light??
Hi,. I start a nem tank for my son.. I just got a AI HD prime led light. I try many a couple light schedules for my nems tank. doesnt seem they light that light schedule. Do u have a light schedule for my AI HD prime. PLEASE HELP> MY SON WANTS A NEMS TANK LIKE U>
Hey Malev
I just did a homemade LED hybrid setup over my 55g reef. I can control each set
at any start to end frame in a 24Hr period. I’m very happy I can do this.
First set - Blue plus and Purple Plus (10:00-21:00)
Second set - Blue plus and Blue plus (11:00-20:00)
Third set - LED Day time (12:00-1900)
Forth set - Moon light (21:00-03:00)
I like your time frame but I’m lost to how long to run each set of lights for.
May you please provide me a time frame for each set to start to end? This would
help me greatly and I believe in your reason to do this. Thank you so much!
+Meldium It sounds like your day is too long to me. I would start it a couple of hours later but end it as scheduled to avoid stressing your corals.
ok so i have it set to 7 hours i believe. you saying should i set it for 14:00-19:00 instead?
Best information about reef light thanks 🙏
I love all your videos, However I have question about double arc bulb you showed in this video, this is change from 10k to 20k or you have change this manually if so how? I have same bulbs and they are 20k/20k and I have not set up the halide fixture yet but curious to know how this is going to work.
what lighting schedule do you recommend for a 29g biocube (i have two compact 36 watt and LEDs)
I'd keep it around 8 hours per day, maybe 9 at the most. If you started the lights around 1pm, you'd have a nice view in the evening until about 10pm. You could run the LED portion as a moonlights for one or two hours, then let your reef rest in total darkness.
Do you have any Raidion programs that work for you that you could share with me. Im having the worst luck trying to find one that works for my 110 Mixed Reef.... Thanks
icetek0713 Yes, I just need your email address and I'll send you the file.
melevsreef Great, thank you so much. Icetek713@gmail.com
icetek0713 Email sent!
A+ for being a reefer and star wars fan.
IDK, I think you are overthinking this, unless you have some really touchy corals they'll do fine with a simple on/off timer without monkeying with adjusting the lights. Been doing that with my tank for over 2 years (has soft, LPS and SPS) and they grow fine/survive fine. I'm sure they may grow a bit better using your method, but if your corals are healthy they aren't going to be damaged or killed by turning the lights on/off normally with a timer.
I really enjoyed the video. I've been playing with my light periods in an attempt to mimic seasonal photo periods. I've heard some corals display better coloring during the shorter days of winter. I don't know if this is the length of day or the intensity and quality of light during fall and winter. Do you have any knowledge or experience along these lines? I'd really appreciate your thoughts on effects of lighting on coral coloration.
Seasonal is tough, as where we live doesn't match where many of our corals originated (unless all you have are frags from hobbyists). The days are shorter in North America this time of year, in comparison to daylight beneath the equator. If you opt for a shorter period of light daily, say 5 hours instead of 9, then increasing the intensity gradually could work in your favor - if you don't push too far. These are living animals, some hardier while others are more delicate and may not tolerate our exploring nature as pseudo-scientists/mad hobbyists. ;) We can't compare our corals to tree leaves (cold weather + sugars = colorful fall foliage), for example. Changes you make today may not visibly show any effect for a few weeks, and if something goes wrong it will take many weeks for the affected corals to rebound and heal up again - if they survive at all. I've never changed my light period based on season, although the Apex controller does change twice a year for Daylight Savings Time.
Typically corals that receive too much light can appear more pale and drab. If you want to measure results, I'd use a specific method like reducing the photo period 15 minutes for an entire week, and compare. Then shave off another 15 minutes and let a week elapse again to see how your reef responds. You can take pictures and compare those photographs against each other if that is easier for you. Let me know what your results are.
Lastly, keep an eye on tank temperature. Shorter lighting periods could result in a cooler tank if you use metal halides. A dip in temperature can also affect coral health and coloration. Stability & consistency is often the best course of action.
That's why I love LED lighting it perfectly simulates from dusk till Dawn so it's more natural I have my razor r420r programed to be at full intensity at mid day. That's something you can't to with halide vho or pc bulbs As perfect as you can do with full LED lighting
With 6-6.5 hrs of MH light running & not 10-12 hrs, are you getting more usage out of the bulbs? How often do you change the bulbs out? Can you go over a year with the same bulbs on this lighting schedule?
Yes, you can run them longer because they aren't used up. And since I run Twin-Arc bulbs I can easily run them two years between changes.
Thanks. How high are your lights above the water level?
18" from the bulb itself to the surface of the water. 16" from the glass shield in the Lumenbright reflector. These reflectors are excellent. ruclips.net/video/MMvIWme87qQ/видео.html
I was reading some wheres to where a lot of the corals we have are in the blue spectrum in the ocean anyways seeing as the seawater diffuses the light spectrum the deeper you go.
The visible spectrum we see as you go deeper is blue, or perhaps we aren't seeing the rest of the colors... I can't recall that for sure. But most corals we get grow somewhere between 30' and 60' of water, and of course some are shallower. But blue lighting isn't the only one we should use.
Yeah I usually run my kessil with the whites and blues both going. I do use more blues than whites though but have been slowly turning up my whites over time to see how they react.
Mind helping me out with my light schedule? I'm using a single Kessil a80 in a 40g. I'm just stocking very easy to care for soft corals, but I was light schedule because it comes with intensity and color options which is a bit confusing since I know corals like a certain spectrum of light and a good light schedule. I'll take any help I can get. Thanks again.
That light doesn't give you a lot of options. Basically pick the color you prefer to look at the most, and set the duration to 8-9 hours a day. Daylight encourages better growth, and the bluer spectrum adds color. Perhaps use daylights during the day when you are away, then when you get home turn it more blue for personal enjoyment?
What's the White peg looking thing your fish are playing with
Stephen Heavens That is a magnetic feeding clip, one designed for 3/4" thick glass. I sell it here: melevsreef.com/catalog/megaveggiemag I also have the normal sized one for more common aquarium glass thickness: melevsreef.com/catalog/veggiemag
Hi nice tank.. what are those tree looking corals you have at the top
At the peak in the center of my reef is the Shadowcaster Acropora colony.
Nice. I just ordered 3 Acapora's for my highest back rock
I use a Evergrow it2040 8" above a 44gal upright.. the water between highest rock and water level is 9".... my lights should be powerful enough yes?
I run them on the factory setting for 12/24 hr setting
Great video Marc!
Thanks Thomas. :)
melevsreef
If you where any more of a geek Stereotype you would explode into pure geek essence!!! Good videos brother. Keep up the good work and god bless.
Hi Thomas! What's your lighting schedule?
3578lehcar The VHOs turn on at 11am and turn off at 10pm. The MH are running a staggered schedule as described in the video. First MH turns on at 1pm, second at 2:15pm, third at 3:15pm, and each bulb runs 6 hours from their respective starting points. Moonlighting from 10pm to 11pm, then darkness for the night. You can see the graph in this video at 3:20-3:36.
Thanks can I simulate that with kessils sorry to ask soo many questions but I'm VERY new to reefing. My tank is on the way and I like to be prepared
Beautiful tank btw! But outta curiosity did you say you light your refugium for 8 to 9 hours? What type of lighting do you use for all that green growth? Have you ever had problem with cyano growing because of too much light?
I run 6500 Kelvin LED lighting over it, and no it doesn't cause cyano bacteria to grow (or bloom, which is what you probably meant when you see the red slime covering the sand & rocks). Yes, I run them about 9 hours a day. Here's another LED light I use over my other refugium, I did a review here: www.melevsreef.com/articles/product-review-reefbrites-lumilite
Where can i buy that twice arc bulbs and ballast? Thank
Check PremiumAquatics.com
great vid Mark
Thanks!
Do you still use the ReefBrite twin arc bulbs?
+Kpshc707 Yes, I sure do. They work very well.
Thanks Melev. I just started using LED lighting, (For the brightness), Zoo Med. What do you mean when you say replace? The instructions say I can replace the les modules when the intensity starts to go. Very impressive lighting regimen you have by the way. 😜
Shahin Ruyani Replace as in upgrade to the latest version or newest gear each year. For you to enjoy real savings, you'd have to keep your LED fixture for many years. If you keep upgrading, you won't really save money long term.
Thanks Melev. I see. I bought them for the brightness.
you mentioned blue.. is that actinic or ATI blue bulbs ?
Great info; love all your videos!! ... What is your opinion on running red, green, and UV LED's? I am experimenting with my AI Prime's and opinions are mixed on this topic. Thank you !
Hey Marc. I know it's an old video but just wondering why you chose vho as opposed to the more common t5
I've been running VHOs for well over a decade. I think all the way back to 2004 or sooner. But I just upgraded those with some Reefbrite XHO LED fixtures and I'm very impressed. The next video I release is about those.
melevsreef looking forward to it!
Hey melv,
Really enjoy your videos and work!
I have a gorgeous 80*80*45 cube, its just a centre island rock scape covered in Inferno Anemones! With a few clowns,
I have a Gen2 pro radion fixture above the tank,
And i know its abit much to ask but would you/could you create me a light schedule for my radion??
+Shane Reich You can take a look at this graph: melevsreef.com/pics/15/9/wmx-radion-schedule.png
And here's my schedule as programmed into the Apex:
Radion_6_17
12:56 0% Custom (75,75,100,100,100,0)
14:00 31% Custom (75,77,100,100,100,35)
15:31 57% Custom (0,0,100,100,0,44)
16:48 70% Custom (62,75,100,100,100,55)
18:01 78% Custom (45,60,100,100,100,40)
19:15 69% Custom (35,50,75,75,75,39)
21:00 37% Deep Blue (45,45,100,100,100,22)
22:13 15% Deep Blue (0,0,0,100,100,0)
23:38 0% Custom (0,0,0,100,100,0)
hey I'm a new subscriber and I'm new the the hobby with my first nano 20. thank you for all the great info your putting out. I recently got the AI Prime LED. and I was wondering if you had any experience or know anyone that can help me with the light setting on it besides the easy setting that comes with it. thank you for your help
Hey can help me out i have at 29 g reef and i just purchased at prime HD light and i work during the day so i juts wanna know how long should i run my LEDS
I'd suggest running them about 9 hours per day. If you are working all day, have them come on around 1pm, so they are off by 10pm.
How do you do that with T5lights
i have a 55g what the best way to light it up and lights run time?
Thank you so much for the video 👍
So you don't run your refugium light 24/7? What kind of macro algae do you have? It looks like fern caulerpa to me.
No, I don't run it that long. 9 hours a day, and I have feather caulerpa. melevsreef.com/critters/caulerpa-sertulariodes
I was under the impression that caulerpa will go sexual if left in the dark.
Certain species will. Not feather caulerpa.
For those of us who can't afford those extremely expensive LED light systems, which one would you suggest? I was thinking about the Marineland Reef LED lighting system. I also don't want to consume a lot of electricity. However, I want the crisp and shimmering light
+Jake Carpenter There are so many lights on the market, but it doesn't have to break the bank account. Kessil and Aqua Illumination are a couple of popular brands you might consider. I don't think you'll be happy with the Marineland light though, unless your tank is shallow and small. I've seen it in person and it just didn't seem to have the same intensity as other brands available. What corals are you keeping?
+melevsreef 48.5" wide 25" high 12.75" Long 60
+melevsreef I have always had a saltwater tank. But when I moved from Baltimore to
Rehoboth Beach DE I had to start from scratch. I have a 60 gallon tall
(Petsmart Tank with stand) deal. Right now I just have saltwater and
NOTHER more at this point. I work at a non profit and I need a light
that can do 36-48" long of a tank. I'm dying for a new lighting system.
However I just can't find one that I know will give me that shimmer
and brightness that I want that wont make me go broke
+Jake Carpenter The AP700 will do what you want, but it will make you go broke for sure. :) www.melevsreef.com/catalog/ap700-controllable-led-aquarium-light
hey man could you share your radion schedule please?
I have the Radion XR30W Pro Led Light on an Innovo Peninsula Aquarium 20 gallon. I know I got more light than I need running LPS and being new at reef tanks I set my intensity like 15 %. Not having a parr meter everything seems fine but I wonder if I am under doing my potential but being cautious to not harm the coral being a shallow tank. Maybe I will have to get a par meter at tax time to be sure. Anyone have any thoughts?
Heck of a light for a 20g. ;) If the livestock is doing well, no reason to change anything. It would be good to know what PAR readings you are getting; you could let others know what works well in they were dealing with similar circumstances.
What do you have in the sump?
Refugium zone, Euroreef protein skimmer (same one since 2004), calcium reactor and a reactor with granulated activated carbon (GAC), and three 300w heaters.
What is in fuge? What kind of macro?
Craig Witherow Feather caulerpa. It's been the dominant macro algae growing for years, so that's what I use.
I love it! Subscribed. What MH fixture are you using?
I'm using Lumenbright pendants with Reefbrite ballasts and TwinArc bulbs. Here's the video about the Lumenbrights and you can see my lightrack too. ruclips.net/video/MMvIWme87qQ/видео.html
Happy New Year!
I find it funny how this has become such a big subject. I use the AI Prime HD's (2) but many of the corals we see now have been aquaculture grown and have never seen the sun and probably never will. How many years have people used T5 and MH with much success and is simply an on/off mode? Neat feature for us but does it truly matter to the coral? I highly doubt it.
I appreciate your point. I was hoping to illustrate my own logic on this topic, which has clearly worked for my reef. Did you happen to see my recent video with the corals we pulled out? They grew massive under this same lighting method/schedule. ruclips.net/video/PrE5RXLRwNA/видео.html
now i want to frag my coral and throw it in the ocean...
Hi have a 39 inc
Hi my tank is 39 inches long 22inches hight and 14 deep is a 21 inch led light right for my tank could u let me no many thanks steve
A couple of 16" fixtures would work, but centering a 21" fixture over your aquarium should look nice as well. Keep them about 9" off the water (or higher) and remember less light intensity during the first few weeks (or months) is better than too much light.
Excellent info
Hi what macro algae are you growing in your tank?
+Fred Beer Hi Fred. Feather caulerpa grows in the refugium zone.
Shouldn't matching the lighting cycle from where the coral actually originate from, like the tropics? Instead of matching it with a more temperate climate.
Hi can you pls. Share to me your radion light schedule like how much intensity and kelvin by hour pls.
Hi Glenn, the bell curve is displayed in this video at 12:08. I can export my schedule and email it to you via EcoSmartLive if you want.
melevsreef Hi Marc - Thanks for sharing all of this great information. I've had a FOWLR tank for about 6 years, it's only in the past 3-4 months that i've started keeping a variety of SPS, LPS, and softie corals. I'd be interested in the Radion graph as well if you'd be willing to email me a copy too. Would this schedule work for corals or do you have it set for just the anemone tank? Thanks!
What camera are you using?
I used my iPhone5 for this one. Sorry it didn't look like the usual quality but it had to be used all day long... too long to park my 6+ on a tripod.
How do you get the moonlight on your reef?
From 10pm to 11pm nightly. That's it.
melevsreef Thanks
a good concept do do the moving sun-but 6 or 8 feet of reef get similar amounts of light-if you had a football field sized tank it would begin to matter. Thats not intended to be critical in any way- just a different view.
And that doesn't even include cloud-cover, which happens frequently in nature.
I have got T5 can’t achieve what u say 🙁
So white light is better for growth but blue light looks prettier?
+Franklin Michael Pretty much. The blue excites some colors, but growth is slower. That's why I use bulbs that do both.
melevsreef Sorry for asking so many questions haha, but does the blue light excite colors while it is on or does it make the coral get brighter and moro colourful it's self.
I really like your videos and value your opinion so I wanted to ask you your thoughts on this I run my lights 12 hours a day but let me explain before you say that's too long I mean I know it is a very long photo. But the lights come on at 9 a.m. At 1% intensity by 11 o'clock AM the lights are at 15% intensity and they run a really dimish blue like a real subtle blue by 12 o'clock they're at their max intensity for the day which is 65% insensitive that carries over for 6 hours and then it started to descend by 7 o'clock they are at 40% intensity and they are at that real subtle blue color and then they continue to go down in intensity from there by 9 o'clock they're off I just wanted your thoughts on this I've been running this light cycle for a year over my 65 gallon mixed reef I run the Ecotech radion gen3 pros do you think running it like this would still be too much on a 12 hour cycle I was trying to implement longer photoperiods found over some reefs in nature any input you could add would be highly appreciated thank you so much really enjoy your videos happy reefing
Since you've been running it like this for a year, the question is how do your corals look? If they are doing well, colorful and growing, you might as well continue to use what has worked well for you. I do hope you provide your fish & corals with total darkness to rest overnight. :)
yes I provide darkness for 12 hours and the corals have good color and are growing pretty good thank you for your thoughts that makes sense to stick with what has been working for me
How do u hav ur refugee running iz it jus a tank
The refugium is a zone within the sump beneath the aquarium. 25% of the tank water drains into that zone, and a LED light above it provides 6500K lighting for 9 hours daily. This is what allows the plants to grow.
I was thinking star wars rebels lol, great video very concise and to the point thanks.
i personally love the daylight
nice vid buddy.. great info :)
This is amazing
can u just use blue leds for Sebae Anemone?
namer pit Will it live? Probably. Can you not set your lights to provide one or two hours of white for the corals to get some daylight spectrum too?
no its just a blue led light 2 feet long i had a white led but it fell now dont work
namer pit Are you going to replace the white one?
melevsreef at some point when i get the money just wanted to make sure the anemone would be ok with the blue light for now
namer pit What light fixture is it specifically? Make sure this one is really secure, as well as the replacement light when you get it.
Is there any science to back up the claim that the speed in which the lighting reaches the coral actually damages it? I also do not see how staggering the light is supposed to simulate anything. On a reef, the entire reef is basically going to get light at the same time, and any "rising" would take a matter of a second to stagger across a small area.
That was a great video
Why it is important to feed the corals after the lights off, I feed mine anytime. Ty
Some corals can be fed during the daytime, others are looking for food when the fish are sleeping.
If trying to simulate nature, why 10k first then 20k? Wouldn't 10k better simulate middle of the day when the light is more overhead?
Personally I like the 10-15k lighting with some actinic supplementation. This super blue LED stuff that seems to become the norm is ugly IMO...but that's just me.
It would make more sense if the halide on the right started at 20k then go 10k as this would be more gradual. Then back to 20k as the lights dim again.
Btw get some solar panels on your roof and your tank will be free to run during the day!
I love that idea, so as it hits high noon it's brighter and more white. However, I'm working with the lights I have. Since the making of this video, I swapped out my VHO light bulbs to some XHO LEDs from Reefbrite, and the blue hue that they put out exceeds what the VHO actinics were doing previously. I like the idea of solar panels, but I do live in the "hail capital of the world" hehehe. Maybe some day I'll add some, but for now my electric bill really isn't bad at all.
Would be cool to see a vlog about your thoughts on the LED’s and any changes you observe!
Electricity is expensive in Oz and solar is now very affordable . We don’t get much hail though and plenty of sun. I also feel better knowing my electricity demands are not producing CO2 and this was a big factor for me. Also means I am putting more powerful lights and flow for my new 30gal I’m building without the extra cost of running ;)
I love that!
AWESOME...
Thanks!
Keep viewing this. Thanks
Feel free to share this video with others that may benefit from it as well. :)
That's interesting how you stagger the halide duration to simulate the sun's arc. There's just one thing that bugs me, and that's the difference between the sun's position in relation to a given coral on a real reef, and the staggered activation of multiple lights (halides in this case) that sit *directly above the tank*.
Your 1pm to 7pm halide as an example: what ever coral is sitting directly under it is actually experiencing 6 hours of "high noon" intensity light. It's to be expected of course since that light has one setting, and cannot "orbit" the tank the way the sun moves across the sky. Even if it could, bear in mind that the sun's distance relative to the Earth means that you have a massive expanse of area that perceives the sun in a given location at a given time; something that is near impossible to replicate in aquaria. If we then concede that it is the _intensity_ of light used that matters more than the direction it's coming from, would you not be achieving a closer representation of a real world photo period with overhead lights that change their intensity over the course of the day, rather than their position (via staggered lighting)?
Anyway I understand that this decision may have been based on the technological limitations imposed by on/off lighting equipment. If not, and considering the differences between the sun's arc and aquarium lights, do you have any reasons to suggest that staggered lighting may trump a bunch of overhead lights that vary their output at the same times each day (like LED products)?
Wow you really tried to break that down way more then you should have lol
I have LED lights. I don't think they have a timer. It's going to be a pain in the butt to switch the lights..
Have you ever wondered how long should I run my lights on my fish/coral system, let marc tell you how and why. TANKS dave
Were you watching StarWars?
I was watching Star Wars Rebels. Sounds like you watch it too. :)
Seen it once or twice lol.
Replace the *LED modules. Oh and I have no corals yet. Forgot to mention.
B.S.... every reef tank ive had i put my t5s on a basic wall timer, they come on full intensity for 7.5 hours, and then turn off. No ramp up or down, its not needed. My tanks are amazing.
I'm glad your reefs look great. With T5s you don't have the flexibility of LED technology to ramp up and ramp down lighting, nor the ability to change spectrums throughout the day. As you said, they are on at full intensity. You can select which specific bulbs to light at a certain time for different visual appearances (dusk in the morning and evenings, for example). With MH, I'm happy to attempt to mimic the light moving across my tank each day. The nice thing about this hobby is the abundant choices we all have, allowing us to pick and choose what we prefer best.
melevsreef at work we have AI hydras over our reef. I am replacing them with an ATI sunpower t5 fixture. The hydras have been very disappointing.
You aren't the first person to say they are reverting from LED to T5 or MH bulbs. I'm running MH and LED (xhos) over my 400g now. I posted a video about the switching from VHO to LED about 10 months ago. I love the XHOs, and I really had serious doubts about them initially. So glad I was wrong. :)
what is an apex? p.s. awesome vid
The Apex controller is made by Neptune Systems. It's what I plug a lot of my gear into. This page should give you a good overview: melevsreef.com/tanks/aquarium-apex-controller
Don't know much about aquariums, but an apex is a peak, a summit. It's latin...
Ah. Sorry about that.
Man I just love your tank.
Thanks.
So you cant leave blue light mode on all night every night? :O woops
But ain't the world flat 😂😂😂😂💚💚 love your channel always good information...
Distance to the sun is the same but the angle is different.
watching star wars I see.
i dont blame you,,, i think i like my t5s more than the leds
ivanthegod i KNOW i like t5s more than leds