When To Turn On/off Light.

[ruffryder]

Hey guys, I know this is probabl a newbie question but i'm not sure when the lights should be on or off. Am I suppose to turn them off at night like it would get dark in nature? Or is the light suppose to stay on all night?

 

[stang1]

Most people keep their lights on for about 8-12 hours during the daytime then leave them off all night.

 

[ruffryder]

ya makes sense. Thnx

 

[Dutchie]

I have mine on around 6.00pm and switch them off around 10.30pm after which time my moonlights come on for 2 hours.............

 

[Miss Wiggle]

you can put them on a timer, just a simple plug in one and then you don't have to worry over it, aim for 8hrs a day

 

[Dutchie]

I also think it depends on the amount of natural light thats in the room.........as I have heaps of windows, I dont need to turn the lights on very much..........in total mine are on for about 6 hours although with daylight savings coming in and winter setting, this will need to change as it will start to get very dark by 5.30pm..........

 

[paul_219]

I keep mine for 8 hours every day.

 

[sparts]

I keep mine for 8 hours every day.

Have you a planted tank if so you may need to take into account the light the plants need to grow so i would say around 8 hours per day would be good in this case if no plants then as per your prefferance

 

[sizzla01]

I would also like clarification on this...please

Ive have only Fake/plastic plants in my 70 L/18 G tank and have the light on between 5pm & 10pm using a timer. Therefore Natural light only between 9am & 1700pm.

Does this sound about rite ? or Do you recomend that i have it on for a longer period of time ?

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks in advance

 

[Maxta]

Sounds okay to me, all depends on the area you live in and how much lights in the room. Im from the dull North East of England, and right now iv turned my light on because its not exactly bright here. When its days like these il probably keep my light on for 8 hours, all depends on how bright the day is.

 

[newtotropical]

Try to hav an hour break with your lights EG 4 on 1 off 4 on. This helps keep green alge at bay

 

[Maxta]

Try to hav an hour break with your lights EG 4 on 1 off 4 on. This helps keep green alge at bay

But wont Algae eating catfish sort that problem out

 

[newtotropical]

Try to hav an hour break with your lights EG 4 on 1 off 4 on. This helps keep green alge at bay

But wont Algae eating catfish sort that problem out

Only if you have them!!!!!!!

 

[vinylman]

No, fish won't get rid of water-borne algae.

 

[highfire]

I'm not too convinced with the idea of having a siesta in the middle of the day, where the lights go off for a few hours.

Of course I understand that it's to do with keeping algea down, but I would have thought being as natural as possible would be best. If so, then to my mind it makes sense to have the lights on for around eight hours a day with no break. Afterall, daylight doesn't disappear for a few hours in the middle of the day does it?

Any one else have any thoughts on this?