Lighting intervals newly set up reef

[Eric The Clown]

I am new to this type of communication method but here it goes.....I have a newly established tank with some live rock and a few fish. My question is "Do my lights need to be on for the full span of 10 hours let's say or can they be split up into two consistent intervals such as 6 hrs. and 4 hrs.? I don't want it to have negative effects on the tank. My son has special needs and likes the lights on when he goes to sleep but then I don't get as much enjoyment as they run until the morning. I only ended up seeing the tank with its lights mostly off. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[mcgyvr]

You only have fish.. You do not need light at all..
Schedule is 100% up to whatever you want..

Lighting schedules/intensities are only a concern for photosynthetic creatures (corals/plants/algae,etc...)

 

[Eric The Clown]

My goal is to add, all in due time, an anemone and some soft corals. Would splitting the total lighting time into two intervals be harmful?

 

[mcgyvr]

I wouldn't think a split schedule would really be a problem..

Just make sure whatever light you have is suitable for corals/nems.. Many really aren't (even though they are marketed as such)