When to switch off

[loftus]

I've bin told to turn my salt water aquarium light off every night.But When? Before i go to bed. Or earlier?

 

[Discomafia]

So you didn't know you had to switch off the lights until recently?

Anyways, I'd say 10-12 hours of lights should be enough. Depends on how mich lights you have, and what you're keeping. Ask the salties over in Marine Chit Chat for a better answer.

Buy a timer, they're cheap and the best thing too. You don't want the hassle of turning your lights on and off everyday. This way, the lights are more regulated and it's easier on the tank inhabitants.

If you do it manually everyday, you may forget. Also, setting a schedule will really help the fish to adjust to your tank.

 

[ccg]

I am pretty sure he knows enough to be turning the lights off everynight, he just wants to know how long.

 

[JeremyD]

Salt water as in reef tank? Fish only? Live rock and sand?

Marine aquariums are far more complicated than the typical freshwater one. The ammount of light yours needs depends on what type of lighting you have, what type of corals you are keeping (if any), how far up they are on your live rock, how deep your tank is, etc. You need to give more details before you ask how long the lights need to be on.