Help :(

[kari maureen]

This is going to sound probably SO stupid... (I'm having so many problems with this tank, I'm ready to giveeeee uppppppp

) I finally have 50/50 lighting for my tank... Well now when I shut it off for a while (Because the lfs told me not to leave it on over 10 hours) EVERYTHING seems to die. My striped damsel turns gray and black, and my stars and stripes puffer just loses life all together. Is this normal!? if so, Should i just leave the light on constantly? I'm really scared i'm going to lose the stars and stripes puffer because I came home today and his tail was stuck on my filter I did a quick dive to save him and he swam away.. I'm leaving the light on tonight until I have some feedback on what you guys recommend! please please help!!

 

[skipperdz]

what size tank?
whats your ph, ammon, trates, trites?
salinity?
we need more to work with before we can tell you anything
i can say that fish arent going to die because you turn your lights off. but more is needed on your end so we can help

 

[fishn808]

Originally Posted by Kari Maureen
This is going to sound probably SO stupid... (I'm having so many problems with this tank, I'm ready to giveeeee uppppppp

) I finally have 50/50 lighting for my tank... Well now when I shut it off for a while (Because the lfs told me not to leave it on over 10 hours) EVERYTHING seems to die. My striped damsel turns gray and black, and my stars and stripes puffer just loses life all together. Is this normal!? if so, Should i just leave the light on constantly? I'm really scared i'm going to lose the stars and stripes puffer because I came home today and his tail was stuck on my filter I did a quick dive to save him and he swam away.. I'm leaving the light on tonight until I have some feedback on what you guys recommend! please please help!!
What are your water parameters? I don't think the light being off would do this. Stray voltage perhaps? I'm sure someone more knowlegeable than I will be able to help.

 

[reefer545]

fish are kinda like birds for some part. When the lights go off, they go to sleep (obviously not all fish). Their colors will look different but have you tried with a flashlight? My sedcond choice guess is that they are just sleeping and you cant tell the difference yet. NO offense. As well, teh photoperiodicity is ideal around 12 hours on 12 hours off.
My real guess is that the PH is dropping too much at night. PH fluctuation in too many degrees one way or the other can cause some SERIOUS concern. LR, Filtration, Water Changes, Buffering can help stabilize this issue.
Like many others said, what are your specific details concerning your tank, and I (as well as they) mean EVERYTHING you can think of. Only then will we be able to tell.

 

[earlybird]

Fish do not need light and damsels and other fish have the ability to change colors or "light up" depending on mood and other factors. Fish do sleep so I wouldn't be concerned about that. I only have my lights on for 10 hours and IMO anywhere between 8-12 is prefered especially if you have corals that feed on photosynthesis.
Like all said, the best way to tell if your tank is in trouble is to to some tests. Ammonia and nitrite should always be zero. These are the two parameters that affect fish. I wouldn't be concerned with nitrates unless you have a reef or excess algae. Phosphates should also be at zero, and play a role in excess algae as well. As far as pH generally 7.8-8.2 is considered "ideal" and consistency is most important. You can expect pH to lower with the lights off because algae helps produce oxygen when the lights are on which raises pH when lights go off there is less oxygen and more CO2 which lowers pH. To prevent major pH swings you should have good circulation/flow and surface agitation to increase gas exchange. Some with sumps and fuges house macroalgae and run a light on an opposite schedule so that photosynthesis continues further reducing pH swings when your display lights are off and they also suck up nutrients (nitrates and phosphates).