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Pro tip: stop blasting your tank with light 12 hours a day like I did

I spent 6 months wondering why my zoas were pale and my green star polyp wouldn't spread. Thought it was a nutrient thing so I kept dosing more stuff. Then last week I left for a 3 day trip and forgot to turn my lights on, came back and everything looked better. That's when it clicked I was frying them with 12 hour cycles. Dialed it back to 7 hours with a ramp up and stuff is coloring up finally. Anyone else catch themselves overdoing light time?

2 comments

2 Comments

danielwhite15d ago

Ha, yeah I used to be one of those "more light = more growth" guys for sure. Thought I knew better than the old school reefers who run like 6 hours. Took me bleaching a few acans to finally come around, but you're dead right about the ramp up being the real key.

luna51915d ago

Oh man, I've been wondering if the actual color temperature shift during ramp up matters more than the intensity itself. Like maybe the blue spike at dawn triggers something hormonal in the coral that's just as important as avoiding shock.