Lighting duration

[ron s]

Hi all, this is my first post. I have been visiting this board for several months and have learned a lot. I have a question on lighting duration. I have heard that the lights should be on anywhere from 8 to 12 hours depending on whether it is FO or if you have corals. I have a FOWLR and currently have my lights on for about 12 hours and I am have some algae problems. Like me I am sure that a lot of people have jobs that do not allow them to be home during the day to enjoy watching their fish. I like to feed my fish 2 times a day so I have my lights come on before I leave for work and have them turn off a few hours after I get home so I can have a little time to watch them. I try to keep my tank on a schedule similar to what the fish would see in the wild and I know that turning the lights on and off can be stressful to the fish but if I only had my lights on for say 10 straight hours a day it would not give me anytime to enjoy the hobby. I would like to have them on less and I was wondering how long other people have their lights on and if anyone has tried splitting their lighting duration into two times a day and if so have you had any problems with a split schedule.
[ September 23, 2001: Message edited by: Ron S ]
[ September 23, 2001: Message edited by: Ron S ]

 

[mr . salty]

As ou,there are many(if not most of us)that must work for a living. So here's what I do,,I have one low power(40watt)actinic(true blue) come on in the morning.That is when I feed,and get a chance to check out the tank and fish a little bit before work..This single blue light is the only light that is on all day.Then about a half an hour before I get home the rest of my lights start coming on.The MH being last to come on about 5pm.Then at 10pm they start turning off.By 11pm the tank is dark and the fish asleep.So other than the single blue light,,,My lights are only on for about six hours a day.This has worked out great for me,,,and the fish and coraline algae seem to be doing well...I guess the only real trick in this setup is getting,and programming multiple timers that these lights are on...Hope this helps,,,and WELCOME TO THE BEST BB ON THE WEB...