Complicated Lighting Question

C

cornrow

Registered Member
Dec 7, 2005
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Hey guys,

I just got a 40 gal tall hex tank from a friend moving out of town. I plan on removing the plastic plants eventually and replacing them with live plants.

Right now I have a 15w daylight bulb in it, but I believe more lights will be in order once I get the real plants

The problem is that I don't sleep at night. I only sleep for 25 minutes at a time, 6 times a day. I don't need to be watching the fish at all times, but it's very pleasant to be able to watch them late at night when everyone else is sleeping.

Is it harmful having lights on 22.5 hours per day?

My home is automated and can tell when I'm in view of the fish or not. I could theoretically have the lights turn off whenever I can't see the tank or am napping, and then on whenever I'm awake and can see the tank. Would this be too confusing for the fish?

If Algae is the problem, maybe I could have one dim light to use at night, and then a brighter full spectrum one during the day.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Ty
 
WOW, 25 min. 6 times a day. anyway, I wouldn't leave the lights on more than 12 hrs. a day. any more and your asking for an algae Bloom, But you may want to consider Moonlighting, I use 8 Blue LEDs and /or 8 Red LEDs to light my tank after 12am. I am usually up until 2am. My lights are on from 12pm to 12am. The LEDs work really well, you can see the fish at night and it doesn't seem to bother the fish at all, they can still rest with out being blinded! I custom made mine and tried to simulate the moonlight as close as possible. You can see everything a little better with The Red LEDs, But the Blue looks so Cool. you can get Moonlights from most Major petstores. all I have ever seen is Blue though. Possible you may have to dig deep to find Red.
 
Do a search here on "lunar lights." There are some recent discussions in the DIY/Equipment section. You main lighting should duplicate the day for the benefit of the fish - so for tropical fish, should be on for about 12 consecutive hours in a day - although it's not important what 12 hour period, as long as the room is dark for their "night." During their night, the lunar lights will let you observe the fish without disturbing them.
 
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