How long do you run a tinic lightbulb?

[krazykrisy]

Just got a new light hood with a tinic lightbulb and was wondering when and how long you should run this light? Thankyou in advance for any responses.

 

[austinsdad]

1 hour before and 1 hr after the main lights. For instance, mine was actinic/blue on at noon. 1pm actinic and main together. Then at 9pm, main off with the actinic still on. 10pm - all lights off.

That way it simulates morning with the soft lights for a bit. Then daylight for th 8 hours. Afterwards you've got an evening/dusk simulation again just before darkness.

 

[melosu58]

1 hour beore and 1 hr after the main lights.

Same here

 

[cmor1701d]

+1 for the 1 hour rule. Fo rme it Actinics 11 -11 and MH from noon - 10 pm

 

[cabezon]

I've heard here or somewhere that many run their MHs for 6 hours. call me crazy but I run my actinics for the length of daylight, about 12 hours 10-10

 

[Bige]

I have tried to run actinics for the hour before and after regular lights, but it makes my fish real jumpy. I don't know if I should just keep trying or what. My fish just seem so irratated by the lights on alone.

 

[cmor1701d]

Oh cabezon, You CRAZY! <g>

Bige, describe jumpy and when. Is it when the main lights go off and just the actinics are on, or for the whole hour that just the actinics are on?
Is it at startup (morning lights on), night (lights off), or both?

 

[Bige]

So my moonlights are on then comes actinic. The fish begin to dart around the tank what looks like uncontrollably. They dont seem to calm down until the mainlight comes on. Same with at night. When main light turns off fish dart around tank rapidlly. Its uncomfortable so I stopped doing it. If both turn off and on together they transition ok.

 

[jcmelski]

It could be natural instinct. Dusk and dawn are when predators hunt. They are probably darting around to find somewhere to hide quickly or to confuse the would-be predator.

 

[cmor1701d]

Sounds about right. Some of my fish hide at MH lights out, but none go crazy. Do they do that for the whold hour or just till they find a hiding spot for the night?

 

[Bige]

Takes about 15 mins, then they hide. Should I keep the actinic on and them acclimate?