Why is a tank's lights being on a timer so important?

[jaylach]

I've seen several posts saying that lights should be on a timer to match nature but question this. I mean why is this so important. My tank and bird lights follow the same pattern with lights on at 10:00AM and off at 9:00PM. Doing both at the same times makes it pretty easy but what harm can be done if I miss by 30-60 minutes? Does having lights on a timer really match nature? What if it is an overcast day in nature and the water darkens earlier than if it was a sunny day? This is nature. While on an average I do agree that lights should be on a cycle I don't see where an actual timer to make it exact every day is needed. To me a timer is less natural than missing the time by 30-60 minutes.

 

[Fishmanic]

Why use a timer? It’s easier. You dont have to think about when to turn on the lights and when to turn them off. I have mine on a smart plug that follows a schedule of on-off times. I can also control it by voice via my echo dot. It automatically adjusts for daylight savings time etc as well. It even goes back to the set schedule after a power failure.

 

[jaylach]

Why use a timer? It’s easier. You dont have think about when to turn on the lights and when to turn them off. I have mine on a smart plug that follows a schedule of on-off times. I can also control it by voice via my echo dot. It automatically adjusts for daylight savings time etc as well. It even goes back to the set schedule after a power failure.

LOL! I guess I'm sort of on a timer as my tank light and bird cage light go on the same schedule. If I'm even 15-20 minutes late on shutting down my bird lights he starts squawking to let me know. I guess he is my timer.

 

[Sgooosh]

LOL! I guess I'm sort of on a timer as my tank light and bird cage light go on the same schedule. If I'm even 15-20 minutes late on shutting down my bird lights he starts squawking to let me know. I guess he is my timer.

lol, you should train him to turn off the fish light, then turn off his light

 

[jaylach]

lol, you should train him to turn off the fish light, then turn off his light

In a way that is already done. Looks like I'll probably be up quite late watching videos tonight which means I'll try to sleep in. If I don't have my bird from hell's light on and the cage open by 10:30 AM he will cause enough ruckus to wake me to correct things. It is the same as if I don't cover his cages at the right time in the evening. He has his schedule and mind don't matter. He let's me know when it is light on or off time.

 

[Fishmanic]

How does the bird act when you have to turn the clocks backward 1 hour? Does he read the time off a nearby clock?

 

[jaylach]

How does the bird act when you have to turn the clocks backward 1 hour? Does he read the time off a nearby clock?

Actually that is an issue as, of course, my bird has no concept as to these changes.

I gradually change the light cycle over a week or so to match the new time. Not perfect but best that I can do. Still my bird DOES show minor stress through the change.

I wish that we would just do away with these time changes as they don't really have a purpose in today's world.

 

[GaryE]

It depends...
I started relying on timers because I had a job and kids, and my schedule could get crazy. Far too often the lights were on for too long. It was that simple.

Now, as long as I'm not away, I could easily run my lighting by hitting switches.

12 hours on doesn't work for me. I tend to have fishroom time early in the morning and then again in the evening, so i tend to run the lights for 14 hours. There's no natural rhythm involved. I have used timers for shortening and lengthening light period for northern fish that need seasons, but most of what I keep is equatorial now. You need consistent light for plants. Sometimes, most people need to be away for varying periods.

Convenience.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Far too much dependence on gadgets and gizmos

4am I get up and using the remote control, I turn the lights on in the aquariums...to blue initially so as to not terrify the residents, then once fed, their lights are changed to white again using the remote.

2pm or there abouts, I reach for the remote and take the lights back to blue for about 45 minutes, then off.

Habit.

Gadgets and gizmo's not required.

The only aquarium light that is on a timer is the one I glued under the kitchen cabinets...a blue one....that acts as a security "I am home" light. Far cheaper to use one of those lights under the cabinets to light the kitchen at night than to leave the main ceiling light on. (I live in a dodgy area, so having a light on all night is very handy...I also use battery PIR lights too, so when walking around the flat at night I can see where I am going....and the fish know its time to wakey wakey before the blue lights go on in the aquariums)

 

[GaryE]

Wait, I had timers years before I had gadgets like remote controls! So you are depending on a gadget! Blue lights? That's LEDs....

If you're home on a predictable schedule run things manually. No problem there. Last week, I was away 2 nights helping a family member renovate, and had another day where I was out from early til quite late, and that would have meant lights on for 16 hours. That's why I said the choice was one of convenience. It really depends on lifestyle, work schedule, etc.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Being housebound, I don't go outside...let alone away for a day or two anymore

And the remote saves me having to contort myself to burrow under the shelving where the plugs are to turn them on

The remote is not so much a gadget or a gizmo to me. It is an essential part of keeping fish.

 

[AquaBarb]

LOL! I guess I'm sort of on a timer as my tank light and bird cage light go on the same schedule. If I'm even 15-20 minutes late on shutting down my bird lights he starts squawking to let me know. I guess he is my timer.

Not known a light cycle for a bird before lol what bird do you keep?

 

[GaryE]

A guy I worked with was snuck into the family home of his future wife in the wee hours of the night, after being told not to turn on the light to the basement. He forgot and turned it on. The father was a canary breeder and a large number of males all greeted the light by bursting into song...

And how did you meet your father in law?

 

[Rocky998]

I really like my light that has a built in clock and intensity options.
And you can set it to gradually come on and gradually go put at specific times. Only thing I don't like is you only have about 6 "time slots". But it works nicely.

 

[AbbeysDad]

It's a valid question as is why is it important to maintain a consistent temperature or feed on a regular basis. After all, it's not always that way in nature. But then when you think about it, aren't we more comfortable and relaxed when we keep regular hours, are warm, and eat well? Otherwise there can be stress and stress is bad.
All creatures need circadian rhythm for best health.