How long do you keep you lights on for?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

ozwald

Candiru
MFK Member
May 20, 2009
109
14
48
Oxford, UK
I don't think this one matters on tank size, but I'm curious what everyone does.
So lets know whats in the tank and how long you light it for...
I'll start...

- Clown loach community tank
- Plants
- 10hrs a day
 
Turn em on when I get up, turn em off when I go to bed. Every tank. I only have one that is planted, but that gets the same lighting. Usually about 14 hours.
 
4 Red belly Piranhas and 1 guppy that a true survivor
a small amount of plants (java moss, banana plant)
10 hrs a day, set on a timer to ensure no human errors occur.
 
I keep a lot of low demand lighting plants (Anubias, anacharis, java fern, etc) (200 gal tank 7'x2'x2')

I have my lights on a timer: 100W: 7am-11am, 12pm-6pm
200W: 8am-11am, 12pm-5pm
10 hrs @ 100W and 8 hrs at 300W (100W+200W)=2.6KW per day

I use the timers to save on the electric bill, to simulate sunrise/sunset and control algae growth. I think it comes out to about $20-$25 a month to run the lights.
 
i have 3 lights on my 75...2 30 watt lights go on in the morning for an hour then i kick on the big light then at night around 10 i kick the big light off and let the 30watts run for an hour or 2 so i can watch my cats ..
id say i run my lights everday between 10-14 hrs never less then 10
 
do unplanted tanks need light?
 
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