How long do I keep my lights on for?

[njjamie]

I have a 55 gallon set up for FOWLR. 50lbs of LR, and 2 featherdusters. Assorted fish, crabs, shrimp, and snails. I have these 2 power compact light and dont know how long to keep my lights on for. I have them on a timer where they go on at 2PM and off at 10PM....is this good?? Too much maybe??
My tank is not in front of a window but natural light does enter the room....should I take this into consideration? I am not too worried about the Light Bill, more worried about growing crazy algae ot fish maybe being bothered by it???
Let me know if you can,
Jamie

 

[1journeyman]

Doesn't seem too long to me..
I've got my lights on a schedule that provides light 12 hours a day.
2 72" Super actinic VHO's on noon to midnight
8 VHO's on from 2pm till 10
4 250wt HQI's on at 3 off at 9
Working on getting my moonlights going...

 

[bizzmoneyb]

When I first got my light I kept it on 10-12 hours a day and algae started growing like crazy. I cut it down to 6-8 hours and its much better.
Just my experience..

 

[supermanvx]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Doesn't seem too long to me..
I've got my lights on a schedule that provides light 12 hours a day.
2 72" Super actinic VHO's on noon to midnight
8 VHO's on from 2pm till 10
4 250wt HQI's on at 3 off at 9
Working on getting my moonlights going...
wow now thats a light fixture....i thought two 250hqi's were bright

 

[mandarin w]

8 hours is plenty. You don't have corals or anything that needs alot of light.
Since you don't have anything that needs alot of light, you could even get away with 6 hours.

 

[1journeyman]

Imo algae blooms are much more the result of failing water quality, poor circulation, and a lack of the proper clean up crew.
I'd be surprised is 6 hours of light could be healthy for your fish long term. Remember fish sleep... some fish like wrasses make a coccoon to sleep in or bury under the sand. I can't imagine only 6 hours of light doing good things to them.

 

[xdave]

Your tropical fish are from the tropics. They receive 12 hours of sunlight all year in nature. Every book on aquariums will tell you the same thing; 12 hours on, 12 hours off. If you have a lit refugium, the light cycle should be the opposite of the tanks. If you have an algae problem you need to fix something else.

 

[nereef]

well said, xDave and 1journeyman. besides, when would you watch your fish if the lights were only on 8 hours a day?

 

[theappe]

Originally Posted by xDave
Your tropical fish are from the tropics. They receive 12 hours of sunlight all year in nature. Every book on aquariums will tell you the same thing; 12 hours on, 12 hours off. If you have a lit refugium, the light cycle should be the opposite of the tanks. If you have an algae problem you need to fix something else.

ditto!

 

[windmill]

My aquarium is in my room so having the lights on 'till midnight ain't happening. I have a digital timer set to sunrise and sunset, and adjust it for seasonal variations (shorter daylight in winter) it don't get much more natural than that.
Now that I think about that, I need to do some research about sunrise and sunset times at the equator. That's where the majority of our fish come from and that's what light they're used to. Perhaps Texas season cycles aren't as varied as the equators and i'm sure equatorial seasons don't affect daylight length nearly as much...... :thinking:

 

[matt819]

No, the sunrise/sunset times don't vary as much like they do away from the equator. For example, alaska is dar for 24 hours in the middle of the winter. At the equator, it's 12 12 pretty much always. With fish only you should leave em on as long as you can for viewing purposes imo, turn em off when you sleep. right? It's not like you're running high wattage bulbs that are gonna suck electricity or anything.

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by Matt819
No, the sunrise/sunset times don't vary as much like they do away from the equator. For example, alaska is dar for 24 hours in the middle of the winter. At the equator, it's 12 12 pretty much always. With fish only you should leave em on as long as you can for viewing purposes imo, turn em off when you sleep. right? It's not like you're running high wattage bulbs that are gonna suck electricity or anything.
Its not dark for 24hours a day in winter and light for 24 hours a day...Misconception..

 

[helpme74]

12 hours on -

12 hours off