lights

[zull]

Should tank lights be left on or turned off at night.

 

[mrV]

Yes, especially if you have plants. They need to rest too So not only fishes but plants too... It also helps to prevent algaes.

 

[Lateral Line]

Turned off.

 

[Whisper Odinsky]

yeah- since the light is mainly for the plants you cant have that thing on all the time.. its like trying to sleep with a 4000 watt bulb above your head while trying to sleep!
one note, and i may be completly wrong, but having the light on for days at a time would also noticeably heat up the tank?
one thing i try to do is turn the light off around the same time everynight, im not sure if the fish notice or adapt to routine.
another thing i have noticed, some of the smaller fish in my tank, when the light goes off, are much more active, and then the hyper ones finally calm down!
but turning the light off is very very important for your fish!

 

[platypus]

I have a timer on my light so it's on for about 7 hours per day every day - is v handy especially if you're going to be away for a weekend for example. Also so you don't have to remember to switch it on/off every day!