John - the major reason for doing reverse
photoperiod is to create an environment with more stable
pH and no fluctuations that are pretty typical in most tanks.
When the lights are on and photosynthesis is occuring, carbon dioxide is taken up by the
macroalgae, oxygen is released and and this creates a rise in
pH.
When the lights are off, respiration from all those photosynthetic organisms gives off carbon dioxide which causes
pH to decrease. A reverse light cycle will at least partially offset
pH swings.
Dave - I, personally, would agree with you. I think it's better to give organisms (and I mean ALL organisms) as much of a realistic setting as possible and although the lights may be on in a reverse fashion, they are still getting their "down" time as well.
