How long should the aquarium lights be on ?

[Coler]

hmmmm...I used to leave them on way too long...For the last week or so I've been turning them on around 18:00 when I come home for work and I leave them until about 22:00...

any other input/opinions

 

[joeshmoe]

Even if the tanks does or does not get direct sunlight...it's best to use the tank light as a sunlight/daytime light source for the fish. They get the same amount of light everytime it's on and you can control the light cycle. Around 10 hours is good.

 

[Weezer]

Our's are on 8.5 hour's a day, and i also believe it helps with there color...:dance2:

 

[Aislinn]

i beg to differ. my front room is where my 75g is (which gets plenty of indirect sunlight).. If i leave the lights off all day long, and dont bother turning them on, then the fish stay inactive and their colors stay dull. the only time they 'wake up' and color up is if the tank light is on.

Really? What kind of fish are they? I have all my tank lights on timers, and the lights don't turn on until 9am, which is hours after sunrise. The fish are always active and zipping around once it's daylight, long before all the tank lights turn on. The lights also turn off before sunset, and admittedly they're less hyper in late evening, but they don't usually do their sleepy hovering thing until about a half hour after sunset or so. Maybe my fish have ADHD?

 

[Star_Rider]

Really? What kind of fish are they? I have all my tank lights on timers, and the lights don't turn on until 9am, which is hours after sunrise. The fish are always active and zipping around once it's daylight, long before all the tank lights turn on. The lights also turn off before sunset, and admittedly they're less hyper in late evening, but they don't usually do their sleepy hovering thing until about a half hour after sunset or so. Maybe my fish have ADHD?

I doubt it's adhd

my guess is it could be related to the species.

many fish seek cover and are exposed to indirect sunlight..many fish seek cover during the day.

I keep angels and other similar cichlid(discus, rams, keyholes) they are fine in the room with indirect sunlight.
on weekends I don't turn any lights on till well after sunrise..all these tanks are active when I come into the room.

some species of fish are nocturnal..

I wonder tho if light timing may have an influence on breeding cycles..I've noticed that in my angels subjected to indirect light (with longer days)are far more active than my angels that are on timers.

 

[hitman12131976]

I do notice that my neons get really dull with the lights off. When the lights are on, they shine bright blue.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

My lights are on 9 hrs. They're on a timer and come on at 4pm and go off at 1am.