2 Light-ON period instead of 1 continuous period

[eagleray]

Hi All
What are the know effects to plants if lights are turned on for 2 seperate 5hr period ? (vs 10 continuous hrs of lights being on ?). Currently trying out 0800hrs - 1300hrs and 2000-0100

[wong1979]

I'm interested to know what the outcome of your plants will be. What are your parameters by the way? If it's low-lighting tank with anubias and ferns, I don't think you could see any difference.

[bclee]

Hi All
What are the know effects to plants if lights are turned on for 2 seperate 5hr period ? (vs 10 continuous hrs of lights being on ?). Currently trying out 0800hrs - 1300hrs and 2000-0100

This is not natural for plants. However, I am not sure what impact it will have.

I know that photosynthesis is a multiple step process. From what I understand (correct me if I am wrong), intermediates have to be built up in the starting hours before the photosynthesis goes into full swing. Having a break in the light period might just break the process and have the plants restart the photosynthesis all over.

...just my opinions and hypothesis... no actual experience.

BC

[confusekid]

BC, you are correct.

If you want the light for viewing purpose then have 1 period that is atleast 10 hrs long

[mordrake]

read from other sites that there are some hobbyists who incorporate this "siesta" period in the photoperiods to simulate overcast skies in the daytime. they have reported less occurance of algae growth and their plants are non the worse from it.
it seems that algae takes more time to take in nutrients than plants so if the 2 photoperiods are less than 6hrs, by the time algae is ready to start their thing, lights off.
however, this break shouldn't be more than 4 hrs or the plants will just have to start all over again.

tried this method before but reverted back to the single photoperiod to keep things consistant.

[eagleray]

The reason i am breaking up the lighting periods is also for the fishes
I was told that fishes only feed if there is light. So the feeding period must coincide with the lighting period.

Have this on going for 1 week.
So far
- hornwort are growing pretty well.
- christmas moss are showing new green tips
- Java ferns are show healthy green
- only one not really making any progress is the lilaeopsis
- riccia are starting to grow out of the mesh

My tank is a 1.5 ft, 24w pl light, small hang on filter, nutrafin co2, 1 pc fan (about 26 -28 C)

[rocketshrimp]

I have two photo-periods, not for the fish...but for sel"fish" reasons.
One period is when I wake up till before I go to work (about 2 hours)...and another (the long one, about 7 hours) is before I come back till midnight.

I have been doing this for quite a while. Don't think that there is any ill effects. But I have a mainly moss/shrimp tank. These plants are not the complaining type.

[fazlee]

mine :

1000-1515 (5 hrs 15 min)
4 hrs interval
1900-2315 (4 hrs 15 min)

followed Dennerle method (more or less )

so far soo good after having algae party during initial setup ard 2 mth ago. now stabalize. Not too sure due the lite timimg or otherwise.

checkout
Dennerle
The algae balance - dennerle