Lighting Twice per Day

[2Shi]

I'd like to leave my aquarium lights on from:
7:00am-10:00am
AND
5:00pm-11:00pm

Is it a problem to split my lighting hours this way?

[kcrunch]

That is not a problem thats 9 hours total for the day. I would watch the algae growth but I doubt if you will have a problem

[BV77]

It might not be all that great for a planted tank.

[weedkiller]

nature states light for half day and the dark for the rest, would go with more dark out of the day tbh cos algae

[2Shi]

It seems like algae growth is the main concern. I currently have two 24W t5ho lights on my 54 gallon tank.

Why am I more likely to have algae by splitting my hours rather than having the lights on for 9 hours straight?

[weedkiller]

light causes algae, minimise the light to some degree and you will minimise algae, you do need light especially if you ave plants so i would go for around 8hours light on as a good average, others may feel different and may know reasons better than mine

[2Shi]

Originally Posted by weedkiller light causes algae, minimise the light to some degree and you will minimise algae, you do need light especially if you ave plants so i would go for around 8hours light on as a good average, others may feel different and may know reasons better than mine

I can minimize my lighting duration to 7-8hrs per day. My question is more specifically related to splitting the hours instead of having them all in the same chunk.

For example:
Why would 2pm to 10pm be better than 7am to 9am + 5pm to 11pm?

[mousey]

Plants do photosynthesis in the light and produce oxygen. At night they shut down and produce carbon dioxide. Imagine yourself doing shift work-- would you rather sleep a solid 8 hours or would you prefer to sleep for 4 be up for 6 and then try and sleep again for another 4 hours??
It messes up your body good. I suspect it is the same with the plants-- they will do better if they can work to photosynthesize in a consistent manner.

[weedkiller]

as mousey said and because you want to keep it as close to natural environment I would say split one chunk light other dark, also you will minimise stress on your fish that way

[TheOldSalt]

Why on earth would you even want to do this?

No, it's not good. Plants aside, the fish would also be harmed. Their endocrine system is controlled by photoperiod, and if you mess with that, you'll wreck their entire functioning.

[Ice]

Unless you like having algae breakouts, knock yourself out. Besides, that is the most ridiculous lighting plan I've ever heard and it makes no sense. Fish (and water plants) need periods of darkness. I keep my lights on for 6-7 hours straight.

[Ice]

Originally Posted by 2Shi I can minimize my lighting duration to 7-8hrs per day. My question is more specifically related to splitting the hours instead of having them all in the same chunk. For example: Why would 2pm to 10pm be better than 7am to 9am + 5pm to 11pm?

Let me ask you a question. Does nature provide darkness from 9 am - 5 pm? No. My suggestion: lighting should be from morning to sundown.

[2Shi]

Don't get the wrong idea please. I wouldn't do anything that would harm my plants or my fish. Their safety and health is my highest priority. That's why I consult with you guys here to make sure I'm doing things the proper way.

I only wanted to split the hours because I work from 9am to 5pm so I don't get to enjoy my tank during that time. Now that I am aware of the negative effects that this would cause my ecosystem, I will not split my lighting hours.

Thanks for your advice!

[weedkiller]

i think he gets the point lol

[kcrunch]

I just reduced my blue night light to OFF during the 12-3 period it was on before. Now my lights come on around 12 and go off around 7 because I have plants, and I will turn them on if I want to sit and watch or click a few shots of my fish. You are not doing any harm at all your lighting is really up to you and whats in the tank. I want to get some red LEDs I recently picked up white and yellow and will be changing the fixture soon. I will see how the light effect the algae growth and the fish too. I have heard that different spectrum's of light can effect color and growth, how true that is I dont know but I will be experimenting soon once I brick the tank in and get my den back in order. So try it and let us know how it turns out.