Care
Feb 19, 2026
How Long Should I Run Aquarium Lights in a Reef Tank?
Quick Answer
Most reef tanks do best with 8-10 hours of full lighting and a short ramp-up/ramp-down period. Too much light can fuel algae and stress coral.
A good starting point for most reef tanks is 8-10 hours of full-intensity lighting, plus 1-2 hours of ramp-up and ramp-down to reduce stress.
- Soft coral / LPS: often thrive near the lower end.
- SPS-dominant tanks: may handle longer photoperiods when nutrients and flow are stable.
- New tanks: start shorter and increase slowly.
If nuisance algae is increasing, shorten photoperiod before making big chemistry changes. Pair your schedule with stable nutrients and strong flow.
When choosing fixtures, compare light options and monitor coral response. Use the ReefBay app to log schedule changes and coral behavior over time.
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