On fish.
Over the last few weeks I have upped the lighting period gradually from 7 to 9 hours. I initially did this because the plants weren't doing particulary well. It is a blackwater tank so the lighting is quite diffused.
The interesting thing is I have noticed a subtle change in the behaviour of my fish. This is most obvious in the tetras, I have cardinals and glowlights. These seem incredibly relaxed and with the lights on are almost always all visible. They also keep in large groups, although loosely shoaled and not terribly active (except for feeding time of course). I don't mean lethargic - the best way to describe it is they are just lazing around. The sids also seem to spend more time basking out in the open.
The only research I found (admittedly a very quick search) was on the effect on Betta, specifically focused on breeding and growth rates. Their conclusion was that 12-16 hours per day was optimum (for those 2 things).
This has done what I hoped for the plants but I am tempted to keep gradually increasing the period up to at least 12 hours to simulate summer. I realise that I may have to diffuse the lighting further, which won't be a problem for the fish who don't like bright light anyway.
Or am I just imagining it ?
Which also made me wonder if we should also vary the temperature to reflect the seasons in nature. My tanks are pretty much at a constant temp all year. As I live in the UK it is only for a few weeks in the year that the temp rises above where my thermostat is set. I know breeders do this to stimulate spawning - but I have never bothered because I have no interest in breeding.
Over the last few weeks I have upped the lighting period gradually from 7 to 9 hours. I initially did this because the plants weren't doing particulary well. It is a blackwater tank so the lighting is quite diffused.
The interesting thing is I have noticed a subtle change in the behaviour of my fish. This is most obvious in the tetras, I have cardinals and glowlights. These seem incredibly relaxed and with the lights on are almost always all visible. They also keep in large groups, although loosely shoaled and not terribly active (except for feeding time of course). I don't mean lethargic - the best way to describe it is they are just lazing around. The sids also seem to spend more time basking out in the open.
The only research I found (admittedly a very quick search) was on the effect on Betta, specifically focused on breeding and growth rates. Their conclusion was that 12-16 hours per day was optimum (for those 2 things).
This has done what I hoped for the plants but I am tempted to keep gradually increasing the period up to at least 12 hours to simulate summer. I realise that I may have to diffuse the lighting further, which won't be a problem for the fish who don't like bright light anyway.
Or am I just imagining it ?
Which also made me wonder if we should also vary the temperature to reflect the seasons in nature. My tanks are pretty much at a constant temp all year. As I live in the UK it is only for a few weeks in the year that the temp rises above where my thermostat is set. I know breeders do this to stimulate spawning - but I have never bothered because I have no interest in breeding.