Light

[kev]

Just a quick question. how long should I leave my light on for. I suppose it should be about the same as a day length in the tropics. mine currently on from 8am - 9pm is this too long. I increased it recently because I added plants to the tank.

 

[platypus]

Hi Kev,

I have live plants in my tank and leave my light on for 6 hours a day - they seem to do just fine with this. I think fish in general prefer it when the 'day' isn't too long. Do you know what plants you have? Some are hardier than others and will thrive even in low light conditions.

 

[Jackson]

It does depend on where the tank is situated really. Does it at any point in the day get natural light onto it? For tanks with no natural light on them i tend to reccomend 9 - 11 hours a day. But like platypus said...it depends on the plant.

 

[kev]

The tank gets no natural light which is another reason why the light is on all day - it is very hard to see any of the fish if the light is off. i don't know the names of any of my plant - bad i know - but i went for ones that looked good two have died but the other appear to be growing strong.

 

[platypus]

I've just found this great website directory for aquarium plants (has loads of pics) http/www.plantedtank.net/plants.html

Hope this helps!

 

[kev]

Right i think I have

Creeping jenny - Which is doing really well (already at the waters surface) I think I will have to trim and plant some of the cuttings
Limnophila - Also doing well

Both require high - very high light levers.

two left unidentified

I have a small plant that looks almost shrublick with thich round leaves that isn't a fast grower but is doing well

I also have a red plat with many thin red leaves but all the leaves have been chewed buy my barbs and just left the stalks

 

[millym]

have no clue to what plants we have but we leave our light on from about 9.30am to 10pm at night & theyre all looking good(the plants that is)despite being soaked in methylene blue for the past week & a half for a fish parasite treatment. our fish seem to get a bit tired, our barbs always seem to have a snooze in the afternoon but maybe theyd do this anyway if we didnt leave the lights on so long. dont know if this is any help probably not