Photoperiod recommendations?

[SA]

Hi all,

I have a 20gl nano reef established for 2 months now with a combined 130W of
PCs 1000K and actinics running. And it seems that most things are developing
fairly OK. I started seeing some life emerge from the LR and I have just
added a small favia frag.

The problem/question I have is with algae. It bloomed and in an effort to
contain it I was thinking of manipulating the photoperiod. I shortened the
white light on for 9hrs a day and the actinic on for about 12. This seemed
to make a fairly impressive impact on the algae very quick, however now I am
concerned as to the impact it may have on the other inhabitants. Do you have
any rule of thump recommendations as to the photoperiod required for most
corals or nano reef tanks? Even though I don't have anything but the favia
now... I'd like to prepare for the future.

Thank you all in advance for any pointers...

Steve

[John]

I'd worry about finding out the source of the algae rather than messing with
the photoperiod. Most places I've read its 12 hours, with the most I've seen
someone had it at 14...but they had the simulated sunrise/sunset thing going
on.

Do you have a skimmer? Unless the tank is still cycling, I'd say you have
excess nutrients.
~John

[SA]

Interesting point you make John about the nutrients, you may be right. I do
have a skimmer but it was producing no foam so I decided to run it only few
hours a day. Consequently since it did not automate it I left it off for
quite some time. It's back on now and I am cutting down on feeding.

I believe the tank has cycled, I even see anaerobic activity on my DSB with
nitrogen bubbles.

Thanks for the reply.

Steve

"John" > wrote in message
...
> I'd worry about finding out the source of the algae rather than messing
with
> the photoperiod. Most places I've read its 12 hours, with the most I've
seen
> someone had it at 14...but they had the simulated sunrise/sunset thing
going
> on.
>
> Do you have a skimmer? Unless the tank is still cycling, I'd say you have
> excess nutrients.
> ~John