How Long Should I Leave On My Tank Light?

[L u]

Should I just turn it on at night?

[Gail Futoran]

"L u" > wrote in message
...
> Should I just turn it on at night?

I have my tank lights on a timer. They come on
at dawn (more or less), off at dusk, or about
12 hours. If you turn it on at night, basically
you're forcing the fish to be in light all the
time. I'm not sure what that might do to them,
but in the wild they experience darkness at
night just as we do.

But maybe the more experienced fishkeepers
will have different advice.

Gail

[L u]

Thanks Gail. The light is off right now, as my tank is near a window,
and it's sunny out right now. I can't see putting on a tank light in a
sunny room in the day, but I want what's best for the fish, of course.

Won't too much light promote algae?

[ExPat]

On Mar 17, 12:50*pm, (L u) wrote:
> Thanks Gail. The light is off right now, as my tank is near a window,
> and it's sunny out right now. I can't see putting on a tank light in a
> sunny room in the day, but I want what's best for the fish, of course.
>
> Won't too much light promote algae?

Yes too long of a light schedule will definately promote algae. Unless
you have live plants your not going to be held to a sceheduled affair
with lights, but its still nice to have lights go on at a certain time
and off at a certain time and lights should never be left on over
night. Adjust the lights to your viewing pleasure and schedule if your
not with live plants and don;t go past 12 hours max with them on. 12
hours is pretty well what any plants would ever require anyhow and is
a fair rep[resentaitoin of typical daylight lighting hours.........I
know you probably do not like it if someone arbitrarily turns on the
light when your asleep, so once the lights are turned off leave em off
unless its absolutely necesary to turn em on as the fish will
alsoappreciate not getting shocked by the lights getting turned on
after they were already in bed so to speak. Just buy a simple cheap
timer at Wal MArt for about 5 or 6 bucks and plug yuor lights into it
and forget about it........Timers are great for things like this and
well worth the couple of bucks you can get one for.

[Gail Futoran]

"L u" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks Gail. The light is off right now, as my tank is near a
> window,
> and it's sunny out right now. I can't see putting on a tank light in
> a
> sunny room in the day, but I want what's best for the fish, of
> course.
>
> Won't too much light promote algae?

Sorry! I should have mentioned I have
planted tanks - lots of live plants. Which
is why I need the light. I suppose without
live plants you could buy an algae eater,
but I don't know that much about those
fish.

I think ExPat has a great response and
I agree with that post.

Gail