Aquarium lighting

[snoozysusie]

Can someone pls advise if I'm supposed to ever turn off my aquarium light? It's a 2ft (24in) tank with 21 small fishes in. I previously had 7 fish but got a load of new ones a few days ago. I always used to keep the light on and had no probs but are there any set 'rules' how long the light should be kept on for? I have live plants in there too. Thanks!

 

[CFC]

Fish need a day and night too you know. For planted tanks a lighting time between 10 and 12 hours is usually recomended, for unplanted a maximum of 8 hours.

 

[snoozysusie]

Many thanks for the help there!
I'd better start turning the light off when I go to sleep too then!
Thanks again

 

[Lateral Line]

Plants also require periods of darkness. During the light period they photosynthesise which creates waste products, these are released during the respiratory phase at night.