aquarium lights

[andyM]

sorry i know this has been asked a number of times before but i can remember. How many hours a day should the aquarium lights be on for?

 

[Ava_Banana]

I believe recommendations are about 12 hrs.

At the end of the day, you are trying to give the fish as much of a natural life as possible. So in nature the lighting might change day-to-day depending on weather or season.

Mine tend to go on around 08:00 and don't go off until about 22:00/23:00.

I want to get them on a timer, but don't have the room by the plug to put one in.

 

[andyM]

i've just got a timer, hence the question. i'm having a bit of an algae problem and hope the timer will help. currently lights are on from 8 in the morning till about 11ish at night.

 

[Dubby]

If you have a planted tank then 10-12 hrs is fine. If not I recommend a lot less (below 8 hrs). Mine is heavily planted and its On from 8am till 9pm with two half hour periods when its switched off. This switching off helps control algae growth.

 

[andyM]

good idea, hadn't though about having 'off' periods. yes the tank is well planted.

 

[ColinS]

Thanks for providing the idea of having off-periods. I had not considered this until I read this post.

Does anyone know if the various types of aquarium light provide any "real" benefit. I have tried lights that are supposed to be good for plant growth/fish colour etc. but have never really seen any difference?

 

[jimbooo]

i have just upgraded my tubes to Arcadia Original Tropical Lamps, they take on a pinkish glow in the tank and really magnifies any red/orange fish (i have a red clawed crab which now looks awesome.

apparently it's better for plant growth but to be honest i haven't noticed any difference (plants have always looked good and they still do)

depending on how large your tank is theyre quite cheap.

i would definatly recommend adding reflectors if you haven't already as they double the light output.

to give an idea upgraded tube and reflector for a 60L tank cost about £18, same on a 180L (which has 2 tubes and 2 reflectors) about £50.

well worth it in my opinion.

 

[Dubby]

Does anyone know if the various types of aquarium light provide any "real" benefit. I have tried lights that are supposed to be good for plant growth/fish colour etc. but have never really seen any difference?

Simply stick to the Daylight tubes (preferably triphosphor). Most of the other varieties (except ones like Grolux which are specialised plant bulbs) have a spectrum thats not too different from Daylight but you pay a much higher price.

I use a combination of Daylight & Grolux tubes to get best results - good for plants, good for seeing fish and good on my wallet

 

[Barday]

I just upgraded too, I got the idea off the forum to use 1 freshwater and one tropical bulb. I'll let you know how it goes when I install them.