Tank Lights Question Regarding Blue Moon Light ?

[kirkster]

Hi all,
Another question from me.  Thick and fast questioning at the moment, I should have been an attorney perhaps ;-)  !
 
After setup up my new tank I have installed my main lights (triple strip LED - very nice and bright) but also I have installed a "blue moon" LED strip that I was thinking of leaving on 24x7. It is only a foot long (25cm or so) and consumes hardly any power.  It casts a lovely blue colour into the tank at a low level of light when the main tank lights go off.
 
However, I have been thinkign further about this.  Is it such a good idea to have this light on all the time?  Do the fish need TOTAL darkness at some point in the 24 hour cycle ? (even though the blue light is not that bright)?
 
I am considering setting up another timer such that the blue light comes on half an hour before the main lights go off then the blue light itself then goes off a couple of hours after that - thus leaving the tank totally devoid of light other than from external sources.
 
What do you think guys?
 

 

[mrstwalker]

I am no expert by any means on this, there are probably people on this forum better suited to answer your question, but personally I would only use the blue light at night or when the main lights go off. Especially if your main lights are well lit and look good. As far as leaving on the blue light at night & total darkness is concerned; I believe that the fish get used to the lighting patterns & it could scare/stress them out if it were to suddenly change. For example, I bought one of my tanks had a very bright fluorescent light strip, the first time I turned it on (even though they had been in light right before I turned on the new light) they all sort of freaked out for a minute but then were okay and got used to it. So I would suggest just doing whatever it is you want and just stick  with that.

 

[fluttermoth]

I wouldn't keep the blue light on all the time, no.
 
It would be better for the fish to have a proper 'night', and any light left on all the time will encourage excessive algal growth.

 

[BiggTexx]

I agree with fluttermoth, and have the additional comment:
 
I currently run a similar setup and while the blue light is meant to provide a "moon light" experience, you may find that running the light for an hour or so before the main lights come on and then again for an hour or so after the main lights go off would be sufficient.
 
Also consider that even though the blue light is not very bright, you may find that running it during the day with your main tank lights may help the color contrast of your livestock.  For example, running my white lights only, the tank seems to take on a yellow cast compared to the white and blue running at the same time.

 

[Byron]

To your question about darkness being necessary, yes, it absolutely is for fish.  So never have lights, over the tank or in the room, 24/7.  You can find a detailed explanation by me in post #29 in this thread:
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/437428-so-it-begins/
 
Byron.