Question: Timing for lighting

[Sailfin]

Hi Folks,

May I know why there some bros here who switch on their light for 4hours, switch off for 2 to 3hrs and then switch on the lights again for a few hours daily?

For example. Biotope main display tank, i have notice that their MH Light switch on for a few hours and then off again for a few hours and switch on again..

Is it meant for electicity $$ saving or some other significant purpose?

Will these switch on switch off switch on affect the plants or fishes?

Thanks in advance...

[Aquaculture]

Yes, I'm doing that. On for 4hours, then off for 4hours then on for 4hours again. Plants still healthy and thriving. Fauna also healthy. This method was adviced by a couple of lfs when I had a bad algae outbreak. Since then I stick to it as it really seem to work.

[Sailfin]

Yes, I'm doing that. On for 4hrs, then off for 4hrs then on for 4hrs again. Plants still healthy and thriving. Fauna also healthy. This method was adviced by a couple of lfs when I had a bad algae outbreak. Since then I stick to it as it really seem to work.

Thanks for the replied Bro AC, so can i put this way that by using this method is mainly meant for stopping / reducing growth?


Cheers

Mine is plant with shrimp tank, the on off method will create stress enviroment for shrimps as result poor breeding program. Don't know about fish though.

I believe if the timing is scheduled on a daytime basic it will not cause shock and stress for the fishes but not sure about shrimp though...

[altamam]

i used to use like for 5 hours per day

[Verminator]

Obviously turning lights on and off again will cause stress to the fish. Thier instinct in the wild is to cope with a day/night cycle. Ofcourse weather conditions affect brightness of the habbitat they live in, so having it on for 4 hours, then off for 4, and on again for 4 hours as a constant routine should be fine. Like people say, it reduces the growth of algae and yet plants will flourish, and i second that! Just don't chop and change your routine. Everyone gains from a routine, even your livestock will be better off because of it.

Obviously for breeding any livestock this idea may not be suitable, seeing as ANY disruption in 'natural occurances' ranging from lighting, pH to temperature will scupper any reproduction behaviours of your fish.

[supersheep1988]

normally i on for 6 hours...but i spilt into 2 section...3 hours and 3 hours..i using timer to on and off...=)

[Kane]

so actually how many hours do we need in total for a planted tank in one day?

[Fei Miao]

Try searching "siesta", there are numerous posts on this, I don't know if 4 hours of lights out is as effective as a black-out in ridding of algae. As to plant growth, personally, I find significantly no difference in having a siesta time or not.

Photo-periods usually ranges from 8 hours to 12 hours, it depends on the type of plants you have and differs from tank to tank.

[torque6]

i've been running a split for about a month or so, but theres no evidence that it decreases algae while benefiting plant growth, there is currently a discussion on barr report forum. Might want to have a read.

[Kane]

Photo-periods usually ranges from 8 hours to 12 hours, it depends on the type of plants you have and differs from tank to tank.

just want to ask one more question, if mine is a non CO2 tank, do i still need 8-12 hours or shorter hours? thanks

[torque6]

If i have a non co2, i will leave it at around 8hours. 12 hours is too long even for a high tech tank.

[Verminator]

When i had mine on 12 hours i noticed greater/faster algae growth and less plant growth. Many of my plants actually showed signs of some leaves melting. I'd suggest around 8-9 hours a day.

[torque6]

ya, verminator, i observed that too. If plants are expose to light for too long, they melt away.

[juggler]

so actually how many hours do we need in total for a planted tank in one day?

We try to simulate what's happening naturally. Our daytime lighting period is roughly 12 hours from 7am to 7pm. But the most intense period is probably about 10 hours. You can use that as a gauge.

[dknight]

Generally, in a lightly-planted tank with mostly mosses does it need extra lighting or is natural daylight sufficient for its growth?

[900801]

mosses, do not really need extra light.What you want is to bring the temperture down because with more light, the temperature might rise.