How long do you run your MHs?

[greenmako]

5 1/2 hours for Mh's
12 hrs for VHO's

[Bbristow]

Those running their MHs longer than 8hrs say 10 or 12. How long have you had your tank set up? And, Do you or have you had issues with algea growth?

[envy]

reef tank 8hrs MH
nano 10 hrs pc
fowlr 11 hrs florescent

[apedroza]

Not to high jack but what is teh distance from water to light on most of ya'lls tanks. Since I'm only running 1 light and want it to spread I currently have i about 5" above the water line. Is this too close??

[LoneStar]

Those running their MHs longer than 8hrs say 10 or 12. How long have you had your tank set up? And, Do you or have you had issues with algea growth?

Water chemistry would be more of an issue of algea growth than running lights for longer periods of time.

[JimD]

Not to high jack but what is teh distance from water to light on most of ya'lls tanks. Since I'm only running 1 light and want it to spread I currently have i about 5" above the water line. Is this too close??

That would really depend on the surface area of the tank and what you have in it.

[alton]

9 hours and I only have MH's. 2 1/2" above my glass tops with a fan to cool the glass tops. Install phosban or some other type of phosphate remover for algae control. Also SE last longer than DE but that also depends if you are using electronic ballast with Coral Vue Reef Flux lamps (18 months) or Giesmann DE lamps which also last a long time. Also just because your lights are only on six hours a day, does not mean your lamps will last twice as long as some one who runs there at 12 hours a day. Every time a lamp strikes it weakens the lamp life.

[ErikH]

SE lasts longer than DE?
It's a monday!

[ErikH]

Oh yeah, I don't have an algae problem, but as LS stated, the water quality is the key there.

[CoryDude]

9 Hours a day. 4pm to 1am.... Hey, I'm a night owl. Besides, most of these fish came from the other side of the globe anyway.

Thought I was the only one w/lights on after midnight. When the tank was in our room, my wife always had fits w/it being on so late. I don't blame her, it is hard to sleep w/720watts of combined 03 and halide bulbs in the room