How long do you leave your lights on????

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
R

ridehardorgohome

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 2, 2008
212
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Seattle WA
Wondering how long you should run your lights, I have the current t-5 bulbs, is it better to have them on a timer??let me know i'[m running them about 12-14hr but having problems with cloudy-greenish water, I did a complete water change and within 3 days my water was back to being cloudy????Thanks
:feedback:
 
Id do a search I made this exact thread a while back and have seen about 10 more like it.


But to answer your question I turn tank lights on while doing maintenance and for about 4-6 hours at night for feeding and observing.
I use to have them on a lot but found the fish enjoy the daytime residual light and I can still see them so they are off during the day. (Also because its hot as hell up here and the lights don't help that)


Algae is thriving because either your lights are on too much or their is excessive phosphates from overfeeding or uneaten food. Reducing both will reduce algae. The algae removers in a bottle are pretty dangerous from what I have read on the subject.
 
I run my lights on a timer (must for plants) 8 hours a day. Any longer than that & I get algae starting. I dont like to use them, but any algae control chemical at the LFS will get rid of green water. I wouldn't use it if you have established algae, though. Are you still cycling? That could explain the cloudy water...
 
5-6 for me :)
 
Yes just set up the other day and I only have a pleco for now so it can't be from overfeeding cuz i don't feed him he eats whatever.So 8hrs is max huh????????????
 
ridehardorgohome;3477322;3477322 said:
Yes just set up the other day and I only have a pleco for now so it can't be from overfeeding cuz i don't feed him he eats whatever.So 8hrs is max huh????????????
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there is no hard number, everybody is different. i guess the question is, why do you need or want your lights on for so long? if youre not home most of the day, just have them off :)
 
ridehardorgohome;3477322; said:
Yes just set up the other day and I only have a pleco for now so it can't be from overfeeding cuz i don't feed him he eats whatever.So 8hrs is max huh????????????
Click to expand...
If the tank was just set up the other day. And your pleco is eating whatever that pretty much means he has no food doesn't it? No algae to eat... I digress
 
I turn my lights on for the half hour or so that I'm at home during my lunch break from work, but I turn them off before I go back.

and I turn them on when I get home (~6:30) and turn them off before I pass out (~10-12).

So...probably a solid 5 hours a day that they're on. On the weekends I keep them on all day if I'm home.
 
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