10 replies to this topic

[Cicolid]

What lighting regimes do you all use for your tanks ?

My planted tanks I have on for about 10hrs/day straight. The Cichlid tanks for about 12 hrs/day straight.

Anyone replying could you please state what type of tank and fish species you are referring to.

Col

[sajica]

Col: Why would your cichlids get more light then your planted aquarium, just out of curiosity?

[Hydonia]

My cichlid tanks gets about 14hrs constant each day.

[Trekrider]

My community tank gets 14 hrs/day straight.

My Malawi Cichlid tank, Jewel Cichlid tank and guppy tank get 13 hrs/day straight.

[Cicolid]

Col: Why would your cichlids get more light then your planted aquarium, just out of curiosity?

Hi Saj,

The planted tank is a "low light" set-up with only Java Fern, "Windalov" , Anubias nana & congensus with 4 x 28watt T5's.

I have the lights on my Tropheus tanks for longer so that I get a good supply of algae. You have just reminded me that I was going to reduce the time on them as I am getting a bit too much algae ATM

I originally asked the question because reading on sites from Over East & the USA many people turn their lights off for periods during the day. This doesn't seem right to me if we are trying to replicate nature.

Cheers
Col

[Donna]

Hi Col,

I have read that some people have a lights out period during the day to try and mimic the conditions in the tropics where the clouds come over in the afternoon, and there might be some rain. Most aquarists experimenting with this have reported little or no change in the behaviour of their plants or fish. I am sure there are some aquarists who will report having success though.

Regards,

Donna

[dazzabozza]

Another reason is to minimise heat. Some people turn their lights off during the hottest part of the day.

All my lights are on timers. They come on in the morning for a couple of hours. Then back on again from 5pm through to 10pm.


Daz

[Managuense]

My American Setups are only on for 6 hours a day to reduce heat and to save on electricity. They come on in off peak times so its cheaper

[Dazza]

Yeh my main tank is only on for 7 hours from about 2pm. Its get a fair bit of sunlight so i had to reduce the time, got it down to no major algae for 4 or more weeks so im happy.

[Jezza]

cichlid tank:
5 or 6 hours (timer has died so its on manual)

planted tank:
10 hours @ 36w ('sunrise' & 'sunset')
9.5 hours @ 144w
9 hours @ 444w

[Cawdor]

My cichlid tanks are lit 5 hours per day on weekdays (5-10pm) and 12 hours weekends (10-10).
This is to save electricity - I don't need my tanks lit when nobody's home. All are on one timer.
My growout tanks are not lit at all.