cloud said:
is it alright to have 3/2 lights on in the day, and 1 in the evening? And if you can, is it advisable?
I don't see why not - some PC fixtures come with independent switches for each bulb so you can put them on timers and create a dawn/dusk effect.
The routine on my 65g goes something like this:
9:30am - 20W light stick mounted behind the aquarium (gives just enough light for the fish to start waking up) and the fan for the Satellite come on
10:00am - 96W 6700K bulb in the Satellite comes on
10:30am - 96W 10 000K Satellite bulb and GE 110W fixture (2 - 9325W bulbs) come on
The tank is under full light for 11 hours, until 9:30pm
9:30pm - 96W 10 000K bulb & 110W fixture turn off
10:00pm - 96W 6700K bulb turns off
10:30pm - 20W & Satellite cooling fan turn off.
I'm sure you could have full light for 8-10 hours, with a few hours of lower light in the evening, without harming the plants in any way - timers are your best friend when it comes to stuff like this, the plants and fish will adjust to the routine.