How to increase photoperiod

[BleepBloopMunchMunch]

Until recently I had my lights on at 12 pm and off at 8 pm with no ramp up or down period, just the full spectrum that I’ve got for daylight. I wanted to add a bit of a ramp up and down, mainly to have some time of the day when it’s all blues and violets for that coral pop. If I have those at relatively low intensity, can I just add on an hour or two to the end of the light cycle? Or should I be dialing back the intensity say the last hour of my light cycle or so to compensate for the increased couple hours of light.

 

[Squist]

My corals have been fine with what you’re describing. I ramp up around noon, start ramping -down intensity and boost blues around 8-9, until midnight. Then I run reds (“darkroom” mode) until 1AM for the fun of that. Total photoperiod about 12 hrs; 8 at my full intensity (60% of my light).

 

[BleepBloopMunchMunch]

Ok cool that’s pretty much what I was going for. Totally photoperiod of about 12 Hours with 8 hours at max. Did you slowly acclimate up to that or just tack on hours before and after?

 

[Squist]

If you’re adding lower intensity from 8-midnight and at the beginning of day, I don’t think you’ll have any problems. Where I’ve run into trouble with light is when I place coral in high PAR zones and they bleach.

 

[JVU]

Adding low intensity blue periods in the AM and PM is safe and a fun way to extend your viewing time.

Mine ramps up and down with deep blues, and is more white midday, with moonlight on all night.