Photo-Period

[Boyden]

Hi,
 
When keeping reptiles etc I used timers to keep a regular photo-period so that I could adjust for breeding and keep things regular for the animal.  Are timers needed for fish or can I continue to turn their lights off and on when I go to bed and get up?
 

 

[Shelster]

I have a timer switch on my big tank, and am definately going to get one for the other two!

I have a photoperiod of 7 hours on the big tank, the other two I switch on in the afternoon so I can enjoy them later in the day.

It's just one less thing to have to remember to do in the mornings is all

 

[Joshwainwright]

If you have just fish, you can generally have the lights on whenever you want - unless you need to keep algae under control.
 
If you have plants however, that's obviously a different matter. 
 
I'd say without plants you're safe with having your lights on for up to 12 hours algae-wise. If you're happy with doing a bit of scrubbing though, you could have them on for much longer!
 
I'm presuming you don't have any live plants as they aren't mentioned?

 

[Boyden]

Yes sorry I do have live plants.  

 

[Joshwainwright]

8-10 hours is usually good to go by then
 
I have mine on for 10 however I've only recently planted it so I might still decide to lower that. I just need to find the balance with my light, liquid CO2 and ferts!

 

[Boyden]

8-10 hours is usually good to go by then

 
I have mine on for 10 however I've only recently planted it so I might still decide to lower that. I just need to find the balance with my light, liquid CO2 and ferts!

It sounds like we're in a similar boat!  I'm very new to the hobby so using my fertiliser, CO2 and lighting is frying my brain LOL!  Loads of fun though and the whole family get involved.
 

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I have mine on for 7 hours. I recently reduced it from 8 in my attempts to reduce my BGA

 

[Boyden]

I have mine on for 7 hours. I recently reduced it from 8 in my attempts to reduce my BGA

BGA?  Mine are currently on for quite some time so I shall organise a timer I think.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I have mine on for 7 hours. I recently reduced it from 8 in my attempts to reduce my BGA

BGA?  Mine are currently on for quite some time so I shall organise a timer I think.

Blue Green Algae. Not really an algae though, it's a bacteria. I know Josh suggested 10-12 but I'd start with 8 if it were me.

 

[Boyden]

 

I have mine on for 7 hours. I recently reduced it from 8 in my attempts to reduce my BGA

BGA?  Mine are currently on for quite some time so I shall organise a timer I think.

Blue Green Algae. Not really an algae though, it's a bacteria. I know Josh suggested 10-12 but I'd start with 8 if it were me.
OK thanks
 

 

[Shelster]

I find I have terrible algae issues if on for longer than 8.

 

[Mamashack]

I have just had to do a 3 day blackout for BGA and that's because my lights were on for 12-13hrs a day and NitrAtes running quite low with lots of stem plants mopping them up. In the end they were being choked by the BGA so I got rid of them and only have 2 java ferns and 1 anubia. Now got a light timer set for 8 hrs a day. First day today so fingers crossed!

 

[Boyden]

I have just had to do a 3 day blackout for BGA and that's because my lights were on for 12-13hrs a day and NitrAtes running quite low with lots of stem plants mopping them up. In the end they were being choked by the BGA so I got rid of them and only have 2 java ferns and 1 anubia. Now got a light timer set for 8 hrs a day. First day today so fingers crossed!

Well good luck!  Blimey I never really considered just how much the photo-period effected the plants and algae

 

[Mamashack]

Thanks! It was a big shock to find that LOW nitrAtes had contributed to the problem altho I think the main culprit was the lighting tbh.

 

[TallTree01]

I think I might be leaving my lights on too long.
Is 4am to 4pm too much?