Lighting

[manners8]

whats the rules with lighting, i've got a standard tube light on my tank, but just wondered how long shud they be on for each day at most?

 

[garybuk]

Hi also want to know abit about lighting iv upgraded to a 6ft tank and just tock the bulbs out my 4ft one! seems dull! also same as ^^^^above^^^^

 

[Piltdownpaul]

In the tropical zones around the world the sun is generally up for 12 hrs all year round so you should really keep your lights on for 12 hrs or so. You might want to do 2 lots of 5 hrs with a break in between with the lights off to upset the algae growth that might occur. If algae isnt a problem then leave the lights on 12 hrs in a stint.

 

[manners8]

i'm looking to get a blue light.
can anyone suggest where i could get a blue tube light from, advise whether i should use a blue light

 

[SuperColey1]

In the tropical zones around the world the sun is generally up for 12 hrs all year round so you should really keep your lights on for 12 hrs or so. You might want to do 2 lots of 5 hrs with a break in between with the lights off to upset the algae growth that might occur. If algae isnt a problem then leave the lights on 12 hrs in a stint.

The midday 'siesta' won't stop algae in a non planted tank. It is meant for DIY/Yeast CO2 setups where the output level may not be enough to last the whole day. therefore the 2 hour 'siesta' gives the CO2 some time to build up again. Therefore unless you are going heavily planted I would just run a straight 12 hours photoperiod.

Blue bulbs are unsuitable for a freshwater tank and will most definately cause algae. In non planted tanks try to just stay with the stock lighting or if you do want to increase then make sure you stay under 1WPG. daylight or pink lights are best for tropical tanks. blue will make the tank look very cold and the fish dull.

Andy