[zzyzx85]

I bought 2x AquaFlora and 2x Midday Giesemann bulbs for the Current Nova Extreme 4x54W T5HO fixture. This is on 2"-3" stock legs over a 55g tank that is 17 inches deep.

I was wondering what lighting schedule I should have it. The light fixture has 2 switches for 2 banks of bulbs. Should I go full on for a shorter period of time or half and half with a "noon" burst?

I have pressurized CO2 and modified EI dosing.

 

[oldpunk78]

i wouldn't try more than 8hrs. total. maybe a 2-3 hr. burst with all 4. that's a lot of light.

 

[zzyzx85]

I guess I'll try for 8 hours total. So I guess it'll be a bit of experimenting and watching for algae. I was thinking the burst was the healthiest option but I didn't know for how long.

Anyone else want to pitch in some advice or is the general consensus with oldpunk78?

 

[jmhart]

I agree with old punk.

2 on for 8 hours, with a midday burst of 2-3 hours with all 4. Personally, I rotate the bulbs every ~3 months when I do a burst, so that the same bulbs aren't always on for the entire 8 hours.

 

[GTR]

I've only run 2 of the 4 bulbs over my 90 for the last 4 months. Makes my life so much easier. With all 4 bulbs the tank was a chore to keep up with.

 

[jmhart]

I've only run 2 of the 4 bulbs over my 90 for the last 4 months. Makes my life so much easier. With all 4 bulbs the tank was a chore to keep up with.

Certainly I'm a fan of less work, but the midday burst is pretty awesome at intensifying the colors of stem plants.

 

[zzyzx85]

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the input. I've set it up for 8 hours total, with a 3 hour "morning", 2 hour "noon" and a 3 hour "evening", all rotated between 2 sets of 2 bulbs so that each set will have an even amount of "burn".