Lights, Switch On When?

[Qays]

I hear the aquarium lights should be on 10hr +

So, what time should they go on? If it gets dark at 6pm then it should go on then right? or before then?

If so, 10 hourswould be switching it off at 4am? im confused

What time should lights be on and off (UK)

 

[George Farmer]

Whenever suits you.

 

[ChrisP]

I have mine on from 12-10 but like gf225 says whenever suits you. It does not realy matter so long as they are on 9-10 hours a day.

 

[Qays]

I have mine on from 12-10 but like gf225 says whenever suits you. It does not realy matter so long as they are on 9-10 hours a day.

Even in daylight?

 

[Discomafia]

Doesn't matter... On them when it suits you, or when you're around so you can look at your tank. No use to on the lights when you're not at home. Get a timer, then you won't have to worry about it anymore. Regular lighting is good for the fish and plants. Don't go for 10 hours and start at 5pm one day, and then the next day it's you on it at 11am. Does your tank get much natural sunlight? That's the only reason I can think why you're asking such a simple question... Amount of hours your tank light is on depends on how much lighting you have, and how heavily planted your tank is.

 

[Themuleous]

I think what you're asking is, if the tank gets sunlight during the day does it then need lights once its dark outside. Simple answer is no. No tank should very much direct natural light if any at all. The lights on the tank are there so you can similate the nautral 10-12hr light period of the tropics with out the need to have the tank in natural light. This normaly means the lights go on sometime in the morning which will mean they go off sometime in the evening.

I personally have mine on at 11am and going off at 9pm that way I get a few hrs after work when I can see the tank with the lights on and enjoy it.

But as everyone says its realy personal choice as to exact timings

Sam

 

[mantis147]

I have mine on 12pm - 10pm so i can watch them when i come home from work.

 

[Qays]

I have mine on 12pm - 10pm so i can watch them when i come home from work.

you mean 10pm - 12pm?

Isnt that only 2hrs a day?

And how much does a timer come for?

Thanks for the help.

 

[mantis147]

I have mine on 12pm - 10pm so i can watch them when i come home from work.

you mean 10pm - 12pm?

Isnt that only 2hrs a day?

And how much does a timer come for?

Thanks for the help.

12pm till 10pm is correct, 10 hrs per day! 1200hrs to 2200hrs :stupid:

 

[x_amanda_x]

I was told at the pet store (a bunch of overly hormonal teenage girls) the following information:

Your tank needs 12 hours of fluorescent lighting a day. However, this should not be done during night, as your tank receives light during the day, and as with every living thing -> your fish and plants need darkness.

I have taken their information into account and have purchased a timer, my timer is set from 8am-8pm.
My plants seem to be dying (please dont ask for plant names, as i do not know)...however, this could simply be because I have NO fish in my tank.
Goodness, how pathetic am I?

SHEEEEEEESH, im getting there. lol

 

[Qays]

I have mine on 12pm - 10pm so i can watch them when i come home from work.

you mean 10pm - 12pm?

Isnt that only 2hrs a day?

And how much does a timer come for?

Thanks for the help.

12pm till 10pm is correct, 10 hrs per day! 1200hrs to 2200hrs :stupid:

ah i see. lol! i thought you were saying midnight

 

[jarmado]

i have mine on for 2 hours early in the morning, 2 hours mid-day, and 4 hours at night.
is this enough?

 

[Themuleous]

iJay - I tend just to stick mine on for the full 10hrs with no break. People do have a 2hr break around lunch time, but you light does seem a bit irratic. Do the fish not seem to mine the breaks in the light? If you need to have it in blocks for algae control etc, I would do 5hr in the morning, 2hr break then another 5hr in the after noon -

9am - 2pn = Lights on

2pm - 4pm = Lights off

4pm - 9pm = Lights on

That way they get the light they need. BTW how are you plnats doing with the light schedule you have?

HTH

Sam

 

[jarmado]

iJay - I tend just to stick mine on for the full 10hrs with no break. People do have a 2hr break around lunch time, but you light does seem a bit irratic. Do the fish not seem to mine the breaks in the light? If you need to have it in blocks for algae control etc, I would do 5hr in the morning, 2hr break then another 5hr in the after noon -

9am - 2pn = Lights on

2pm - 4pm = Lights off

4pm - 9pm = Lights on

That way they get the light they need. BTW how are you plnats doing with the light schedule you have?

HTH

Sam

Sam,

The fishes don't seem to mind the lighting pattern. They are even breeding.
My plants seem to be ok as well. The CO2 indicator shows an ideal amount of CO2 in the tank. But this may be because of the carbonator that I use.

I will try your suggestion and will report the difference.

iJay

 

[Themuleous]

Sam,

The fishes don't seem to mind the lighting pattern. They are even breeding.
My plants seem to be ok as well. The CO2 indicator shows an ideal amount of CO2 in the tank. But this may be because of the carbonator that I use.

I will try your suggestion and will report the difference.

iJay

To be honest, if its working then I would leave it. Unless you reckon you could get more growth out of your plants then it's fine. You dont want to make the situation worse after all!

Sam