Simple vs Complex: What Kind of Reef Lighting Schedule Do You Need?
Simple vs Complex: What Kind of Reef Lighting Schedule Do You Need?
When you first install your lights over your aquarium, the first thing you'll need to do is decide what schedule to set them up on. Do you go simple and get things running quickly, or do you dive into a more complex setup with every detail dialed in?
Here’s the good news: both approaches can work. The trick is knowing what you want from your tank, how much effort you're willing to put in, and what your corals actually need to thrive.
What Is a Reef Lighting Schedule, Anyway?
A reef lighting schedule is the daily routine that controls when your lighting turns on or off, how bright the lighting gets, and what spectrum your lights put out. These schedules are most applicable to LED light fixtures as they often offer the highest level of control. Depending on the model you're using, you may be able to adjust the different light spectrum channels individually or you may only have simple "white" and "blue" control. Either way, the principles laid out here will apply.
Tip: Regardless of the schedule you pick, keep your lighting schedule consistent from day to day. This will help reduce coral stress and allow them to grow and thrive without having to constantly adjust and re-acclimate to new lighting conditions.
The Simple Answer Right Up Front
If you're newer to the coral-keeping hobby (or just don't like to make things more complex than they need to be), a simple lighting schedule following the 1-8-1 Ratio is the way to go. 1-8-1 means 1 hour of ramp up at the beginning of the photoperiod, 8 hours of steady intensity throughout the day, then 1 hour of ramp down at the end of the day. This give you a 10-hour lighting schedule, which is right in the middle of the typical 8-12 hours that most hobbyists recommend. Of course, you can set this 10-hour period to start when you're most typically home, so you can get the maximum amount of viewing time and enjoyment from your reef tank.
If you're still not sold, stick around and we'll get into all of the nerdy details about reef tank lighting schedules!
Simple Lighting Schedules: Easy and Reliable
A simple schedule focuses on a steady, linear start and finish to the day, with a steady period of lighting in between. It usually includes just a few steps and is easy to set up in any lighting app.
A classic simple schedule might look like this:
| Time | Phase | Light Settings |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Sunrise | Starts off deep blue and ramps up to full spectrum/intensity |
| 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Daylight | Stable spectrum and intensity |
| 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Sunset | Ramp down to low intensity blues or off |
| After 8:00 PM | Evening (Optional) | Low intensity blue for viewing, moonlighting on, or full lights off |
Why It Works
- Easy to program
- Ideal for beginners
- Stable lighting for coral health
- Less chance for error
This is a great option if you just want a schedule that works without needing to constantly tweak settings.
Complex Lighting Schedules: More Customization, More Control
A complex schedule might have 10 or more points throughout the day. You can fine-tune the light’s intensity, spectrum, and even add moonlight or simulate cloudy days. Some setups also follow a lunar cycle to encourage coral spawning.
Why It's Popular
- Gives a natural look with smooth transitions
- Allows for detailed control over spectrum and intensity
- Useful for advanced coral care or high-end display tanks
Who It's For
- Experienced hobbyists
- Reefers who enjoy customization
- Those running Coral spawning systems
Complex setups take more effort but can look stunning and mimic nature more closely.
Using Templates to Keep It Simple
Not sure how to program a full schedule? Most lighting apps like Mobius, MyAI, Kessil, and others offer built-in templates to get you up and running quickly. These are often created by expert reefers or coral vendors and can give you a great starting point without needing to build your own from scratch.
You can also find downloadable schedules from coral farms like World Wide Corals that match what they use in their own systems.
Which Schedule Is Right for You?
| Schedule Type | Best For | Benefits | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | Beginners, low-complexity minded reef keepers | Easy setup, reliable results | Less customization |
| Complex | Advanced users, coral spawning, experimenters | Full control, more realistic effects | More time, tuning, and knowledge required |
STOP! Schedule Isn't Everything!
No matter which schedule you choose, light intensity matters. A PAR meter helps you measure how much light is actually reaching your corals. Too much or too little can affect growth, coloration, or even cause corals to die. Use a PAR meter to fine-tune your lighting levels based on your coral types.
Tip: PAR meters are expensive and something you may only use once to set up your lighting and map out your tank. As of the time of this post, we offer 60-day returns on the Apogee MQ-510 PAR Meter, with just a $100 restocking fee if you use it. You can find the most accurate and up-to-date information on the MQ-510 Full Spectrum Underwater LED PAR Meter product page, including how the return option works.
Adam has been reef keeping since 2010 and got his start on the Bulk Reef Supply Customer Service team. He believes the best tanks are built around what you enjoy, not what’s trending. Adam is especially interested in simplifying the hobby, exploring the latest gear, and helping others focus on long-term success over chasing perfection.
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