I have read up on this a little here and there, and in general, extended periods of light exposure create mutations in the cellular structure of some animals/fish as well possible increases in certain chemical production in the body, IE melatonin. I'm by no means an expert on any of this, but a quick google search will most likely show you the studies you are looking for. Most living creatures thrive on a daily cycle of dark/light periods. There are some that live in complete darkness but I don't know of many organisms that live in an area completely exposed to light for a 24 hr period.
Tank light 24/7?
- Thread starter Buphy
- Start date
It may be true you can sleep during a light cycle but the fact still remains that your body is going to be able to detect the light levels you are currently exposed to and alter your body's chemistry accordingly.
LOL
On a serious note, there's probably limited documentation; but more likely that we can use common sense to suggest it's better to adhere to a more nature light cycle, i.e. 6-8 hours during the day.
I've read studies in humans that even when people were sleeping, with the light on; the light breaks down chemicals at the back of the eye or something, which doesnt happen when the light is off. Obviously humans aren't fish, but instinctually, I'd bet on it being healthier to play it safe and have light/dark periods as in the wild.
Hope you are able to find some research though!
Light on 24 x 7 means crazy growth algea.
Meabs more cleaning
Means more work
Means more time
Means more money
Well lose lose situation lol
Meabs more cleaning
Means more work
Means more time
Means more money
Well lose lose situation lol
Many discus breeders leave their lights on 24/7 on breeding pairs and juveniles with no apparent ill-effects. I think the 24/7 lights with breeders has been going on for decades, so it can't be all that bad, at least with discus - which ironically don't seem to like very bright light.
Correct, not saying anything for or against it, just that it has been happening for decades with a somewhat sensitive fish and the parents still breed and the babies still grow.
Of course without those invasive tests one can make the argument that the constant lights are a good thing for the fish just as one could argue that they are bad for the fish. Even with those tests the results may not be backed with enough conclusive research in fish and even between specie variability to draw any sort of real conclusions based off those tests.
As for real world results that hobbyists will see - I think most people consider fish breeding and fry raising to be a pretty successful yardstick and at least with discus many people feel that lights 24/7 actually are beneficial or they wouldn't spend $$ on the extra power that the negative aspects are probably very small if any at all. At least for discus.
Of course without those invasive tests one can make the argument that the constant lights are a good thing for the fish just as one could argue that they are bad for the fish. Even with those tests the results may not be backed with enough conclusive research in fish and even between specie variability to draw any sort of real conclusions based off those tests.
As for real world results that hobbyists will see - I think most people consider fish breeding and fry raising to be a pretty successful yardstick and at least with discus many people feel that lights 24/7 actually are beneficial or they wouldn't spend $$ on the extra power that the negative aspects are probably very small if any at all. At least for discus.
I still fail to see a correlation between successful breeding and 24/7 exposure to light.
I believe I've read a study that was done on goldfish stating my above information, again google would probably yield far better info than I.
I didn't mean to imply that lights on was better for breeding or better/or worse for anything really. Just info to the OP question of evidence of it being bad or not. Just wanted to point out that breeders leave lights on and pay the extra power bill and it has been done for decades. People can interpret that however they want.
