Lights on/off times

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by wito-zn, Aug 18, 2009.

  1. wito-zn

    wito-zn

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    I was wondering how long should the tank light be on?
    Should you switch it off when it goes dark or can you leave it on for a hour or so more?
    Will night lights(blue light) do anything to the water and the fish?
     
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  3. SalmonAfrica

    SalmonAfrica Batfish

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    I turn my lights on from when I get up - at about 6:00 AM - and off at about 8:00 PM for my fishroom tanks, and about 10:00 PM for the display tanks in the house.

    The extra hours just mean that there might be extra algal growth in the tank, your nocturnal fish are slightly less comfortable, and the other fish get a little less sleep lol
     
  4. OP
    wito-zn

    wito-zn

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    Ya i also switch the lights off late. Just wondering
     
  5. Bufamotis

    Bufamotis

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    With my blue led strip i doubt it will bother any fish much, its a very slight lighting effect
     
  6. OP
    wito-zn

    wito-zn

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    I like the effect of the blue light. it seems more natural at night.
     
  7. brentnorm

    brentnorm

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    Do you leave this led strip on after your main lights have gone out?
     
  8. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    In a planted tank you would generally have medium to high light, possibly CO2 injection and definitely fertilization. A long photoperiod will result in algae taking over - that is for sure. 8 - 10 hours is just about right; no more!

    Also note that actinic bulbs contain the very spectrum of light preferred by certain types of algae. For example, GDA likes low intensity light in the blue and green spectrum. If you run them for 1 to 2 hours at night then that should be fine. Any more could be an issue.

    I also know that some people keep their tank's main lights on longer when they have guests. Who wouldn't wanna show off a nice tank? That is also fine, as it is not a daily thing.
     
  9. 2202

    2202 CNC ROUTING of Perspex

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    Hi there,
    From the info i have gathered on the net and from other hobbyists, you need to consider it to be on as per your normal day time, but it would not do any harm if you switch of the lights when you go dozing off.
    The fish only needs time to "sleep" as well.

    I do not know the truth on this, but this is what they said.

    enjoy:wondering:
     
  10. Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    I put my tank lights on around 7AM and turn them off when I go to sleep between 9 and 11 PM and I have had no problems so far
     
  11. rogerrabbit

    rogerrabbit

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    I have recently planted my main tank quite heavilly, the lights are on a timer that runs from 9AM to 10 PM, I am considering shortening the time to bring it in line with what you said above( for the algae reason.)

    I am looking for a light that I can turn on and switch off about 30 minutes to an hour before and after the other lights(4Xt8), in order not to frighten the sensitive fish in the tank. Any suggestions?
     
  12. veegal

    veegal

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    We turn our lights on at around 6am and put them off at around 7pm. Tanks in the fish room and in the house :)
     
  13. Gilbertr14

    Gilbertr14 Phenacogrammus

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    7am - 8pm
     
  14. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    My lights run 1pm to 9pm. I cover the front of the tank when I leave for work so no sunlight hits the tanks during the morning. I remove the cover when I get home from work.

    @rogerrabbit - most people use a blue moonlight tube for this purpose. Also looks nice once your main lights go out and your more nocturnal fish start to swim around and at least you can appreciate them a bit before bed time.
     
  15. SauRoN

    SauRoN

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    When I only ran the 2 x 10w (8am - 12pm) I had zero algae issues.

    Then I added the 35W, and when I leave that on for the same amount of time, I've noticed some growth in the last week.
     
  16. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    It's a balancing act. You add more light - you drive plant growth. Then you need more CO2 and more fertilizer. Plants will grow faster/better. If the plants are limited in one area (such as lack of CO2) then they can't use all the available resources (extra light and fertilizer) and algae jumps in.

    In a non-planted tank the issue is different. Perhaps somene else can comment?
     
  17. SalmonAfrica

    SalmonAfrica Batfish

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    In a non-planted tank, algae is nearly always dominant. This is because the algae has nothing to compete with with regards to light, nutrients etc. The one way to help curb the problem is to use lower lighting conditions, stock the tank slightly less, do regular maintainence (water changes and manual algal removal) as well as adding some algae-grazing fish.
     

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