Feeding with the lights off?

[NickBee]

Our lighting cycle goes from 10am to 10pm. When I feed at 8am (before leaving for work) the lights are off. Is it ok to feed with the lights off (of course there is plenty of ambient light). I did it this morning without switching on the tank light and they seemed to do ok feeding.

Tell me what you think. And thanks!

 

[papagimp]

As long as the fish are eating when you feed, the lights don't matter. I have a yellow wrasse in my tank, he sleeps in until about 10am so when I leave for work and feed prior to lights being out, he doesn't feed then, but he eats more when I get home in the evenings. Sometimes my clowns are still snuggled in there mushroom and not ready to eat either. Just keep in mind who is not eating that early and accomodate accordingly with the amount of food you are placing in the tank. Uneaten food adds to nitrates and phosphates and help algae blooms.

 

[saltaholic]

I always fed with the lights on your fish are awake and moving. However some corals feed better at night b/c that is when they are open.

 

[NickBee]

Ya everyone seems active enough and swimming around by 8am even though the tank lights are off. I’ll try it over the next few days and just make sure everyone is getting their share.

Thanks guys!

 

[kaihonu82]

I feed in the morning before i go to work, the tank lights aren't on, but theres enough light from the room that the fish are awake and swimming around...they're always eagerly awaiting their meal

 

[papagimp]

I should add, when I feed in the early mornings before my lights kick on, I only feed freeze dried cyclopeeze. Kills two birds with one stone. Many of my corals seem to appreciate the cycloeeze and I know all my bristleworms sure do.

 

[jer77]

I know NickBee doesn't have any corals, but it is true that cyclops-eeze and phytoplankton will help build up the pod and bristleworm population. Especially at night when they are out and feeding.

 

[chaseracing]

12 hour photoperiod. Any issues with Algea?

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