Help with light schedule

[QcReef32]

I recently switched to a ViparSpectra light on my 25-gallon tank with soft corals. Right now, my light schedule is:


• White: On at 8:00 AM / Off at 3:00 PM


• Blue: On at 8:30 AM / Off at 7:00 PM

The corals seem happy with the light, but I’ve noticed some algea appearing. My current settings are 25% blue and 5% white.

• How many hours of white light do soft corals need each day?

• Could I be running too much white or for too long?

I’m still acclimating the corals with the light , but I want to ensure I’m not overdoing the white light. Or if I have the light put too long. Any advice on refining my light schedule would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TX_REEF]

not too much white at only 5%, the issue is more likely excess nutrients and/or too much light overall. Generally I'd recommend no more than 10 hours of light on, and set the schedule so it's when you are mostly likely to be able to enjoy your tank. For example, my lights are on from 12 noon to 10pm.

Do you have pics of the algae? If it's minor, it's probably normal and even healthy. If algae is a serious problem, it would help to get a rundown of your current water parameters as well.

 

[QcReef32]

not too much white at only 5%, the issue is more likely excess nutrients and/or too much light overall. Generally I'd recommend no more than 10 hours of light on, and set the schedule so it's when you are mostly likely to be able to enjoy your tank. For example, my lights are on from 12 noon to 10pm.

Do you have pics of the algae? If it's minor, it's probably normal and even healthy. If algae is a serious problem, it would help to get a rundown of your current water parameters as well.

Yeah, you’re right. I’ll decrease the light time. And I’ll test my water (it’s my testing day actually today!) It looks a bit like diatoms, I think. they are not much of it!
Thank you!

And should the blue start before the white or it doesn’t matter

 

[Troylee]

Looks like diatoms.. you have silicates getting in most likely from your rodi unit and or tap water.

 

[QcReef32]

Looks like diatoms.. you have silicates getting in most likely from your rodi unit and or tap water.

Thank you! I’ll take a look for this problem

 

[TX_REEF]

Yeah, you’re right. I’ll decrease the light time. And I’ll test my water (it’s my testing day actually today!) It looks a bit like diatoms, I think. they are not much of it!
Thank you!

And should the blue start before the white or it doesn’t matter

it doesn't matter re: blue before white, but I do the same because visually i like the dawn and dusk effect, and while I don't like 24/7 neon lights in windex look, it's nice to see the fluorescence of the corals for a little while each day.

 

[QcReef32]

I recently switched to a ViparSpectra light on my 25-gallon tank with soft corals. Right now, my light schedule is:


• White: On at 8:00 AM / Off at 3:00 PM


• Blue: On at 8:30 AM / Off at 7:00 PM

The corals seem happy with the light, but I’ve noticed some algea appearing. My current settings are 25% blue and 5% white.

• How many hours of white light do soft corals need each day?

• Could I be running too much white or for too long?

I’m still acclimating the corals with the light , but I want to ensure I’m not overdoing the white light. Or if I have the light put too long. Any advice on refining my light schedule would be greatly appreciated!

I recently switched to a ViparSpectra light on my 25-gallon tank with soft corals. Right now, my light schedule is:


• White: On at 8:00 AM / Off at 3:00 PM


• Blue: On at 8:30 AM / Off at 7:00 PM

The corals seem happy with the light, but I’ve noticed some algea appearing. My current settings are 25% blue and 5% white.

• How many hours of white light do soft corals need each day?

• Could I be running too much white or for too long?

I’m still acclimating the corals with the light , but I want to ensure I’m not overdoing the white light. Or if I have the light put too long. Any advice on refining my light schedule would be greatly appreciated!

I have noticed that the problem did start after dosing Energy Reef AB+ 2days ago. Since I have took a picture monday and the tank didn’t had diatoms I don’t know if it’s can be link tho!