Moon Lights

[Rorie]

I am at home a lot just now, and it seems like my aquarium lights are always off. They come on at 3.30pm and go off at 9.30pm.

I was thinking i could change the time so that they came on earlier, and then get moonlights and put them on at night.

my questions are

1) how long can i keep lights on for- for the fish sake?
2) Will moonlights add to building algy? I only have the normal lights on for 6 hours to prevent this, but will moonlights contribute too?
3) i have seen some that change colours as a nice aesthetic pleasing touch- does this bother this fish at all or have any downsides?

Thanks,

Rorie

 

[Larkspur]

I was told keep a light on 6-8 hours a day? I think. I have live plants though. To be honest I turn my light on around 8 am and turn it off about 10pm. Doesn't seem to cause issues (then again I just have bettas in this tank). However, I have a serious algae bloom going on which is okay...my BN catfish loves it.

 

[Schmill]

My lights are on from 9am through to 7pm.
Longer than is generally advised I know, but I have plants, algae isn't really a problem, and the fish & I like it

(I have also bought some lamps to make moonlights with though for those late evening hours, just because I like the look)

 

[Rorie]

Yeh i keep my lights on for a limited number of hours due to the algae, but i was wondering if the moonlights will count towards the built up of algae. I.e. if i keep my main lights on for the recommended 6 hours, can i just put my moonlights on for as long as i like after, or will they need to become part of the 6 hours?

I want to avoid algae just now, i am still stocking up my tank

 

[SchottayB]

Not sure on the moonlights, but I can't see it making a problem for algae (not 100% sure though!)... but I have both tanks running from 11am till 10pm and i've never had algae problems. I have quite alot of live plants in both tanks tho