When do you have your aquarium lights on?

[wanabedriver]

Summer time here in Phoenix I almost never put the lights on. I try to maintain 87 and below tank temps. If the lights are on the temps go to high. Winter I will have them on most of the day.

What is your room temperature? A while ago, "bong" coolers were used to cool computer CPUs in the enthusiast community. I am not sure if it will bring your temps lower than ambient (it might, since it's sort of an evaporation cooler) but it might be a cheaper alternative for you? EDIT: Here is an (older) project: Link. Apparently, the water temperature was able go down to 64F in a room that was 75F.

For my sort-of reef tank, I have lights on from 2pm to 10pm. I also have a nano shrimp tank on my desk that I have on when I wake up (6a-8a) and when I come home (5p-midnight). I'm not sure if having two day cycles affects the plants and shrimp, but they seem to be doing ok.

 

[Fat Homer]

I personally try and give my fish a normal light cycle... so keeping lights on from morning to early evening...