Aquarium Light

[bushpig]

how long should i keep my light on for?
its currently on about 11 hours a day
too much or ok??
does too much light promote the growth of algae?
thx

 

[Triumph]

I think it depends on whether you have live plants.

I do and mine is on 10 hours a day and I don't have algae problems, although I have taken care to keep the tank out of direct sunlight.

If you don't have live plants you won't need it on for all that time during the day as it is only really on so
you can watch your fish.

Billy the Fish

 

[James007]

Whatever timescale you decide on get yourself a plug in timer and split your light on in two separate periods. This gives the fish a break in between. The timer will ensure regular lighting.

I have mine on for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening. The tank is half live and half fake planted. No algae problems but I do also have 4 amano shrimp and some snails as part of my clean up crew.

 

[Jules H-T]

Whatever timescale you decide on get yourself a plug in timer and split your light on in two separate periods. This gives the fish a break in between.

I'm not sure I agree with that advice. You should try and replicate the natural suroundings of your fish, as far as is possible. That doesn't involve two four hour days, one four hour night and a 12 hour night, in any one 24 hour period. You might be perfectly fine doing it, but it's not best practice I wouldn't have thought.

Overall, anywhere between 8 and 12 hours is fine. I've had mine on at both ends of the spectrum and TBH the only difference I've noticed is that anywhere above 10 encourages a bit more algae than I like.

Like James says though, stick them on a timer. They cost virtually nothing and make life so much easier.

 

[CFC]

I only have the aquarium lights on when i am in the room viewing the fish, at all other times the tanks are lit by the room light only.
As long as there is some kind of light in the room whether it be sunlight from a window or artificial light from lamps the fish will be aware of the difference between night and day. Very few natural aquatic habitats have the same volumes of bright lighting that a aquarium has as overhanging foliage and floating aquatic plants will filter out a large majority of the sunlight.