How Long Do You Keep Lights On?

[baker360360]

Question is how long are your aquarium lights on in a day?

Fill free to explain why and add some info



I keep mine on for 5-6 hours a day
On at 1pm off at 6-7 pm
2x t5 50:50
I have easy low need plants like java fern anabuis nana, use liquid ferts, no co2
Fresh water cichlid tank
Tank in the opposite side of the room from windows.

 

[RebeccaLouise]

I keep mine on for around 12 hours.
I have live plants (Cabomba and Hygrophilia).
Flourish fert and no co2.
Tropical community, betta and BN tanks all the same as above.
Mine are under a window and in an alcove.

I have no probs with my lights on that long. They have been up and running for a good while.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I also keep mine on for 12 hours. The only tank this is causing issues on is a 5g, am going to try reducing the lighting and see how that goes. At least the nerite has plenty to eat
Unfortunately don't really remember the names of any of my plants except for vallis and swords..have hornwort and dwarf water lettuce too.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

I keep mine on for 8 hours each day, on at 8am and off a 2pm on weekdays and on at 12pm and off a 8pm on weekends.
 
I have vallis, hygrophila (stricta) and java fern. I also dose flourish twice a week.
 
EDIT: Adding in what plants I have.

 

[baker360360]

I keep mine on for 8 hours each day, on at 8am and off a 2pm on weekdays and on at 12pm and off a 8pm on weekends.
 
I have vallis, hygrophila (stricta) and java fern. I also dose flourish twice a week.
 
EDIT: Adding in what plants I have.

8am - 2pm is 6 hours lol .

 

[Garbolino]

2 T5`s on at 2pm off at 9pm
heavily planted with co2 & macro/micro ei dosing

 

[stanleo]

8 hrs a day. 12-8PM. All my tanks are like this. I dose liquid carbon everyday and I have fantastic growth in my tank. I remember reading that 8 hrs is optimal somewhere but some have them on for longer. Plus logically I know that in nature plants rarely get even 8 hrs of direct sunlight a day.

 

[Sharknado99]

Mine is in a relatively dark corner of the house so I leave my lights on for about 12 hours...After reading the above, maybe thats too long??

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, it's a bit too long.

As the other posters have said, between six and eight hours is best even for planted tanks.

 

[Alasse]

My lights on the planted are on for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours at night, 2x T5HO. Tanke gets Seachem Flourish, Trace and Excel
 
The others rarely have the lights on.
 
1 planted has no light just the natural light from the full glass doors

 

[baker360360]

My lights on the planted are on for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours at night, 2x T5HO. Tanke gets Seachem Flourish, Trace and Excel
 
The others rarely have the lights on.
 
1 planted has no light just the natural light from the full glass doors

So you turn them off for a period though the day. How's that working out? And can I ask why? ( because work or is there some benefit to this method?)

 

[Alasse]

The lights are on a timer. I have to do it through summer or the tank will get too hot. I do however leave it this way year round as i prefer it, i get less algae problems, plants do well, and it suits me better for viewing times. I can override the timer if i need/want to view the tank outside the 4 hour lots

 

[baker360360]

The lights are on a timer. I have to do it through summer or the tank will get too hot. I do however leave it this way year round as i prefer it, i get less algae problems, plants do well, and it suits me better for viewing times. I can override the timer if i need/want to view the tank outside the 4 hour lots

Cool, seems to be the best way in your situation, I bet it's hard keeping tanks cool down there.

 

[Alasse]

Tanks can reach 35C on a hot day, i dont cool them, i aerate and take lids off, thats it

 

[westonsupermanc]

I turn on my day light around 12pm for 6 hours then switch to the blue night light for another 6 hours.