Gomer

One thing that Amano mentioned at ADA seemed to strike a fancy with several people. It seams that he only uses really high light for only a small part of the lighting period.

For example: On the ~ 50g tank (90x45x45cm) that was demo'd at AGA, there was a fixture that had independend lights: 2x36 PC and 1x150 MH. Amano said that he would run the PC's about 10-12hours a day an only run the MH for 3-4 hours. I forget the whole explaination, but it had to do with supplying really high lighting only for a period of time that the plants would be able to fully utilize it.

Anyone use this sort of lighting cycle etc?

I was thinking of a 3x55 AH setup on a new tank that I am saving up for (24x16x16in). I would run a 1x55 10,000K 10-12hr a day and in the middle of the day turn on 2x55AH 9325K's for 4 hours. These lights of course would not sit directly on the tank, but would be around 10-12" above the tank. The outside reflectors would be angled inward to keep most of the light into the tank and out of the room.

JLudwig

I know Amano did say that (thru Tomoko), but maybe Oliver can chime in here, he (Oliver) told me that Amano was only doing that for the big tank is his house, he seemed to think the tanks in the gallery are run full blast all day.

Jeff

Gomer

I do recall that as well, but his explaination should be applicable to other setups. The translation being: Able to keep high light plants in healthy conditions while only having limited high light ..which also translates to healthy yet slower stem plant growth....which again seems to translate to less algea

(glad to have you posting Jeff. Also, if you can PM me the name of your Wifes company, I'd appreciate it. Never know when we will get funding for a new laser ...one of our Continuums is troublesome to say the least)

tanVincent

Hi,

That is what we did as well. We have a 90 x 45 x 60 tank and its running on a 56w PC and 150w MH. The PC is running on 11 hours and MH on 4 hours.

Cheers
Vincent

SCMurphy

Dude,

My 75 runs like that, sorta, all bulbs are ODNO T8s. Two bulbs come on for 2 hours, then another comes on, runs with 3 bulbs for 2 hours, then a fourth bulb lights up and it runs 4 bulbs for 3 hours, then back to 3 bulbs for 2 hours and then 2 bulbs for the last 2 hours.

Gomer

I remember that clearly now It doesn't seem widely practiced so I am trying to get other opinions on it.

*....7 tanks down there...and I didn't manage to sneak away with a single plant*

SCMurphy

I didn't have anything you wanted.

IUnknown

At 12" from the top of the water, I wouldn't think that PC's would not have much effect. At first I thought the PC's were just to balance the light out. I thought PC's had to be installed close to the water surface, because they didn't have much reach. Maybe the MH are used to help ground cover, and the PC's for stem plants?

Gomer

more like I don't even have room for the plants I brought home LOL

You had a couple interesting ones!

Robert B

I kind of have the same thing going on. I have 3 ODNO over my 30 gallon. Two of them run for 12 hours and the 3rd tube runs for a couple hours in the middle of the light cycle. With those three tubes on at the same time it is A LOT of light.

Robert. (bobo31)