Do fish need night and day- can i keep the light always on
- Thread starter Alister Cachia
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Go to K-Mart and buy a timer, no more than 10 hours a day for your fish. 24 hour lighting will mess up the ecology/biofilter of your tank. The fish will never survive a 24 hour day-day. Could you?
lucky13 said:
Yes you are right i tought so , But since i am only two weeks into this hobby i am a bit uneasy and feel better if i confirm.
Thanks a lot
I've read a few sources now that are telling me 12-14 hours a day for my tropical fish, especially if I want my plants to grow without fertilizers. Is that inaccurate information?
I keep mine on for about 10 hours. 12 noon to 10 pm, on a timer. A timer is a great investment as it allows your fish to know exactly when lights out will be. If daylight varys a great deal day to day it can stress your fish.
My plants grow fine under 10 hours, but plant growth will also relate to how much wattage you have over your tank.
My plants grow fine under 10 hours, but plant growth will also relate to how much wattage you have over your tank.
Most fish will "survive" 24/7 lighting, but it is certainly not normal. Timed regular light and dark cycles will be better physiologically for them, preferably with the light(s) on for 12 hours or less.
Lighting on 24/7 in most tanks will provide algae heaven, but I have done so for some veggie filters without problems.
Lighting on 24/7 in most tanks will provide algae heaven, but I have done so for some veggie filters without problems.
RTR said:
That would be the biggest concern in my mind. Algae would run rampant in most aquariums. As said, the fish would be jiggery and probably isn't the best of situations for them to be in. Finally, I see no reason to leave the lights on 24hrs.
Once place you might expect to see the lights on 24/7 is an office (such as mine). I was going to try to convince my boss to let me set up a small 2.5g at my desk until it hit me that the lights never go off in this place, and with it always being bright (tank light or no) that would have to drive the fish crazy.
I've always felt 12-14 hours was enough for tropical fish. In their "natural" environment in the tropics, I would imagine it is fairly long days and short nights. Of course, nothing about an aquarium is natural. 
Algae control is my main issue as well for lights.
Algae control is my main issue as well for lights.It is only in the temperate and polar zones that you have a big seasonal day/night difference in length of day and night. Within the tropics there is much less seasonal difference in light and dark cycle length. The minimum seasonal difference would be along the equator itself; the maximum is, logically enough, at the the poles
In a 24/7 lighted refugium you are maximizing nutrient utilization by the plants.
In a 24/7 lighted refugium you are maximizing nutrient utilization by the plants.