Switch Lighting off

[Dontknow]

Hi,

I have a community tank with 3 plants, do i have to turn the light off at night?

[JesseG]

yes, you should...the lights should be on for about 10-12hours as i've read...minimum being 8hours...

[Linxie]

Yeah, the fish won't be very happy sleeping with the lights on.

If you want a light to view the tank at night, I suggest you find a moonlight or make one yourself. We found a very nice LED kit thingy which we're using as a "moonlight"
You can barely see in the tank, but the glow it creates is quite mystical.

[oscar freak]

ja those moonlights are a grand a pop

[eb.adam]

Hi there....

From what i understand, you need to try to replicate the sunlight hours in nature so that your plants grow successfully.

My lights are on from 11am to 11pm. And my plants are thriving :)

12hours a day should be enough.

Try to get a timer for your lights. it will save you the effort.

i've heard of people keeping their lights on for 6hours twice a day... but 10-12 hours works for me.

hope this helps. :) sharp

[oscar freak]

i give up on plants

[Linxie]

ja those moonlights are a grand a pop

That's insane! :eek:
I dare not spend more than R100.00 per bulb.
We bought an LED lamp set thingy (about 30 leds in one contraption) for R75.00 and it works wonders.

Nice explanation there eb.adam :)

My lights are also on for 10-14 hours a day. Switch em on at 7am and off at 7pm sometimes I'll forget and they'll only go off at 8 or 9. Usually the moonlight is on from 7pm till 10 or 11 when we go to bed.

[oscar freak]

thats why i didnt buy it

[Linxie]

Ja geez man... I can't get over that figure. Must've been some new space tech or something :D

[oscar freak]

the real moon most likely

[Zoom]

Search for DIY Moonlight... I did a thread on making one cheap-cheap.

[f-fish]

"i give up on plants" noooooo freak just don't try and keep them with your oscars ... Have a "moon light" in the boyu never use it - think it is great for marine .. but really do we need to for guppies and plants?

[eb.adam]

thanks Linxie :)

[JesseG]

i heard that theres a moon light that can replicate the moon in a 28-30 day cycle, thats what oscar freak probably saw..

[oscar freak]

whateva i saw it was expensive maybe when i win the lotto.f-fish we live we learn

[JulsM2908]

hi guys

what is the benefit or disadvantage of leaving the lights on for +- 15hrs
good or bad?
:wondering:

[JesseG]

bad, i used to have my lights on from 7am to 11pm, i had an algae problem, brown hair like algae on my plants, i cut my lights down to 10hrs a day, 1pm to 11pm, and the algae had stopped...IMO the longer lights are on it would encourage algae growth...

[Zoom]

BAD!

(Good for plant growth... I think.) But bear in mind that even plants need the darkenss to rest.

BAD because long lengths of time with light will promote algae.

[Dasher]

Get a auto timer for your lights,mine came with one from the old owners,the lights stay off during the night and go on about 05:00 in the morning.

[Franna]

lol read Zooms thread about those timers. get the right one. Im sure he was about to tell us.
I made a moonlight with an old pc power supply and a pc neon light. cost me what R50+-

its a bit darker in the pic than in real life
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/Francois_1616/DSCF3764.jpg

[TroyFish]

lol read Zooms thread about those timers. get the right one. Im sure he was about to tell us.
I made a moonlight with an old pc power supply and a pc neon light. cost me what R50+-

its a bit darker in the pic than in real life
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/Francois_1616/DSCF3764.jpg

Took your advice and used my light aswell. Light is now being used by my bro to grow his orchard, the light should work as it is a UV light.

[Linxie]

Hey Franna, your DIY light is great :) Just love that glow.

[oscar freak]

come do for me plz troy

[JulsM2908]

Thanks Guys.
I do not have any algea at the moment and the tank has been running for +- 2/3 months now - but i guess that does not mean that it wont start...!

my plants are ok only... not great... my amazons leaves are green, but have brownish patches in the middle of the leaves and my plants are not growing like crazy...
using profs ferts and have good lighting now!

Feels like it has a reverse effect..... too much... makes then grow less?

[TroyFish]

come do for me plz troy

What you mean lol



Thanks Guys.
I do not have any algea at the moment and the tank has been running for +- 2/3 months now - but i guess that does not mean that it wont start...!

my plants are ok only... not great... my amazons leaves are green, but have brownish patches in the middle of the leaves and my plants are not growing like crazy...
using profs ferts and have good lighting now!

Feels like it has a reverse effect..... too much... makes then grow less?

Too much exercise wont get you fit. You must rest and let your muscles repair themselves.
Same goes for plants if im not mistaken

[JulsM2908]

hi
is a pc neon light ok for the tank?

not bad light or anything like that?