Light Question :)

[Robot_Rooster]

i was wondering do the lights on the top of the tank always have to be on? it don't say anything in this book

 

[Mr Bliss]

i was wondering do the lights on the top of the tank always have to be on? it don't say anything in this book

No, keep them on for 10 - 12 hours a day.

 

[Rooster]

Its a difficult one to answer... ideally if the tank is NOT in direct sunlight, and you have plants then 10 hours or so.
If you do not have plants, any time you like really - but be aware fish do "like" a regime.

If the tank is in direct sunlight, you may not need lights AT ALL...

Tell us your conditions, and we'll take it from there !

 

[DaveW860]

I have a few live plants about 6 and a bunch of fish in my 55 gallons I usually put the tank light on before i go to work and turn it off before bed. about 12 hours i would guess. I also have tried leaving the tank lights off on my tanks during the day and turning them on at night when i sleep. We have a little girl who likes to watch her fishes as she goes to sleep. Both way work fine no issues

 

[Robot_Rooster]

I have 4 live plants and only little bits of sunlight come through the blinds (good for algae on the side?)

 

[OldMan47]

If you have plants in the tank then, as Rooster said, 10 hours a day or so should work well. I use a simple mechanical timer for mine, it cost only 3 or 4 dollars to buy. Using the timer means that the light will be on the same amount each day and you won't forget it. In my case, you start around 10 hours and adjust for more or less light based on how well your plants are doing and whether you are getting enough light to promote algae growth. I set mine so it comes on each day while I am at work and goes off about the time I go to bed. That way the lights are on when I am home to enjoy the fish and also on enough each day for the plants.