length of light

[emorrison33]

I have just started a reef tank in it's second week, and I was wondering how long I should leave my compact flourescents on for ? Right now I have them on for 13 hours a day, but brown algae is starting to grow at an enormous rate (my phophate level is high too, but took care of that). It's probably excessive amount, but when I eventually put corals in the tank isn't 12-14 hours suggested ??

 

[seaham358]

It probably is diatom algae and that is a naturla part of the tank cycle. In a new tank with nothing in you can have the lights on for a few hours a day. I run my tanks for around 11-12 hours a day. It all depends on what you want..

 

[melosu58]

9AM - 9PM here