Lighting questions...

[33w_fish_guy]

I have a 2 standard flourecent bulbs (1x24" 03 and 1x24" 50/50) i have them running on separate timers to have a more realistic effect. My question is what would be the optimum lenght of time for each bulb to create a more natural cycle for my system? I do have 44# of LR. And I thing I am currently in the middle of an algae outbreak.

 

[nodoubt471]

if your in the middle of an algae outbreak, you may want to think about cutting down on photoperiod to help augment the situation. if it were me, i might do something like hours with light #1 on, and four with light #2, or perhaps even less, LR doesnt need a whole lot of light. when you start adding inhabitants and your algae dissapates, you could run perhaps a 10 and 8 hour cycle (light one comes on an hour before light two and goes off an hour after). if you have actinic that one should be the one going on second and going off first.

HTH