My tank dosn't have direct light falling on it but does get light during the day. My plants are growing well and at the moment the tank light comes on about 5pm and off again at 10pm. Is this OK? Is it too much light or could I have it on longer? Also, are those moonlight lights good? Do they really simulate moonlight or is it a gimic!
2006-07-19 12:57:18 · 4 answers · asked by red260z 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
You want to simulate nature in your tanks. If you have a planted tank and want it to thrive 12 hours a day is preferred. Natural light can cause many problems especially with algae. Timers are your best friend and keep things constant in the tank. This is also the basis of the moon lights as well. They simulate what your plants and fish would have in the wild. Although I don't think it helps or hurts to have them. I will say that they are very cool at night though, especially in a freshwater tank because they make the water shimmer like a saltwater tank with metal halide lights. My favorite source of information is www.wetwebmedia.com
2006-07-19 13:47:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I turn my light on when I wake up, and turn them back off around 10:30 or 11 at night. So, it's ok to have the lights on longer, but it's also okay to keep them on for only a few hours, since you it has light through the day. Be warned, though, natural light encourages algae to grow. As for the "moonlight" bulbs, I don't have one for either one of my tanks. My fish are fine without them. I think those bulbs are mainly for nocturnal fish, and for saltwater tanks.
2006-07-19 20:12:00 · answer #2 · answered by band_geek_til_2007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My fish get the same amount of sleep as i do.. around 8 hrs a day. The light goes off at 11 pm and comes on again at 7 am, this is something which approximates the average amount of daylight.... 16 hrs a day
2006-07-20 15:15:56 · answer #3 · answered by Ray KS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In nature plants go through a 12 hrs day/ night period in tropics.
In aquarium it is best to adhere to this time period.
A longer photo period will simply tire out the plants.
Some amount of sunlight is good for plants this is supported by "Diana Walstad" in her book "Ecology of palnted aquariums".
Moonlight will simply make a aquarium look good and nothing else.
2006-07-20 04:03:07 · answer #4 · answered by Sandeep R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋