Important FOWLR lighting question...

[PuffersKick]

I think I'm leaving my tank lights on WAY too much everyday resulting in excessive algae and slime growth. Right now this is my schedule:

7:30 am turn on so I can feed before I leave for work.

10:30 pm shut off for feeding before I go to bed.

That means the lights are on for 15 HRS per day!


Would it be ok if I set the timer to shut the lights off for 6 hrs. during the day (while i'm at work and don't enjoy them anyway)? I have thought about this before, but didn't do it b/c I didn't want to mess up the fish's routine and system.

I was thinking to change to this:

7:30 am turn on

10:30 am shut off

4:30 pm turn on

10:30 pm shut off


That knocks down the light time to 9 HRS.

I think that would help a TON with my algae problem. I just don't want to get the fish all screwed up with the light going on/off/on/off.

What do you guys think?

 

[Paul Burgess]

I believe your answer may partially depend on how strong your lights are. But, fish typically will not "stress out" over what you are proposing. Go for it and if the fish do stress out, pull back.

 

[VolitanLioness]

My lights stay off all day, right now they come on four hours a day 7 - 11 pm, in the winter I adjust my lighting as needed.


9 hours is still not necessary Skip turning them on in the morning and try 4:30 - 10:30 or 5 - 10:30, It should help with algae control.

Kaye

 

[55semireef]

Just get a timer. That will solve everything.

 

[santi]

You should just set the timer to turn on the lights about 30 minutes before you get home and turn off at bed time. No need to turn on the lights for a fowlr setup if your not there to enjoy it. 5-7 hours for fowlr is plenty, but what you propose is fine also.

 

[I like Triggers]

i only turn my FOWLR lights on for about 3-5 hours a day

 

[55semireef]

I try to mimic their enviroment best as possible so I turn on the actinic lights in the morning, then add the daylight and before bed, I turn off the white and then eventually turn off the actinic.

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

I don't think I would turn them on then off then on again
Just set the timer to come on in the late afternoon, the fish will be fine till you get home, then off at 10:30

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7408888#post7408888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BTTRFLYGRL
I don't think I would turn them on then off then on again
Just set the timer to come on in the late afternoon, the fish will be fine till you get home, then off at 10:30

agreed.

 

[PuffersKick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7408888#post7408888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BTTRFLYGRL
I don't think I would turn them on then off then on again
Just set the timer to come on in the late afternoon, the fish will be fine till you get home, then off at 10:30

I tend to agree that turning the lights on/off/on/off wouldn't be good for them. But if I only turn them on in the afternoon they would only eat once per day. Is that ok? They are used to eating twice per day.

 

[55semireef]

You could feed them lightly twice in time of the span the lights are on.

 

[PuffersKick]

Would it have any adverse effect on the fish if I use the lighting method I thought of originally?

On for a few hours in the morning, off during the day, then on again in the evening? I know it sounds corny, but I enjoy the fish eagerly awaiting their morning feeding. They get so excited.

 

[55semireef]

I don't think it would hurt them.

 

[VolitanLioness]

PuffersKick it will not hurt them, you can stick with your original schedule, if you like....

Why not feed with your lights off in the morning?

I turn my lights on in the evening only but I still feed in the morning....

Kaye

 

[55semireef]

Or you could get moonlights and turn those on in the morning and feed them witht them on. Just a suggestion.