Quick Question

[karin]

I am up early in the morning. Then gone most of the day. Can I do 4 hours of light in the morning and 4 in the evening so I can enjoy the fish and tank while still having nice plants? I have a 60 gallon low light low tech set up. I have 1/2 watt per gallon with anubias (assorted), Italian vals, red sword, fava fern and moss and cryptos. Everything is going pretty well. I've been running the lights for 14 hours a day which I know is a lot. I just bought some timers so that I could reduce the light. Thoughts would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[PaBucsFan]

Honestly I do that same as you. I will turn the lights on in the tank shortly after I wake up and then turn them off around midnight or so. It generally equates to approximately 12-14 hours of light each day and my tank it blooming as far a plant growth is concerned. If you keep the 4 hours on then 4 hours on again later in the day I could see the plants adjusting to it but with my basic knowledge of plant I know that they are evolved with a day and night pattern for food, oxygen, and carbon dioxide needs.

 

[SuperColey1]

however plants do most of their work in the first part of the photoperiod. Its feasible to have the lights on for just 4 hours a day. Therefoe rI can't see a problem with 2 blocks of 4 through the day.

AC