Question on ligtings in aquarium

[Reevenz]

2 questions:

1. When do you switch on the your lighting in aquarium? Please let me know at the actual timing, eg from 12PM - 10PM
2. I understand that tank need to have several hours of lighting for plants doing the photosynthesis thingy, my question, wouldn't your plant receive some lights from sun? i mean your tank is not at the completely dark place right? I'm kind of confuse on this.

[Shadow]

1. does not really matter as long as the ON for about 6-10 hours a day.
2. No need to be in complete darkness but no direct sun light either, direct sunlight normally will cause algae issue.

[Reevenz]

thx for your response.

i'm confuse because, if outside is bright, although no direct sunlight, wouldn't the plant get the light it need to photosynthesis? or is it not strong enough and they only photosynthesis when the light is strong (ie. on the light)?

[Shadow]

it depend on how strong the light is, different tank position may have different effect. For example if you put the tank near the windows, the chance is the plant will start photosynthesis.

[yepee]

Hi

Yes light must be strong(PL or T5) and the hour is around 6 to 10 hour but i find 10 hour may have alga issue so best 6 to 8 hour.

[premierdrums]

Hi bro i usually turn on the lights from 6am to 6pm, 12 hours. Yes theres sunlight shining onto the tank, but it is usually very insufficient, unless the sun ray is directed at the plants. Direct sunlight means unwanted algae growth. Not turning the aquarium lights on frequent enough or placed in a dark corner will cause brown algae growth(diatom).