Lights at night for corals?

[Twisted_blenny]

Is it ok to turn my lights off at night and run my moonlights for my corals or should I leave my normal lights all the time?

 

[Northstar24]

You do not need to leave lights on all the time, and moonlights are optional

 

[Prototype220]

Don't run your "normal" lights all the time. Your lights should mimick the natural sun pattern as closely as possible. I personally turn my blues on at noon, my whites on at 2 (with the blues), my whites back off at 7-8, and my blues off at 9-10, and the moons come on at that time. I don't have a programmed lighting system and I don't work so this works for me, but it's recommended that you don't leave your lights on for more than 10 hours. Let's see what everyone else has to add :)

 

[Bifferwine]

Prototype is correct. The sun doesn't shine 24 hours a day. It's very unhealthy to run your lights 24/7, and it's not natural at all. Everything needs to rest. Try to mimic nature with your lighting -- most people run their lights 8 to 12 hours.

 

[blando]

yea get a timer if your light system doesnt have one..So then you can set it to turn on whenever and turn off whenever.

 

[Bifferwine]

The cheapo $5 to $10 timers from the hardware store work just fine. No need to spend a lot of money on them. :)

 

[blando]

Nope got one from walmart also works greay :)