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Post by Chris4Reef on Sept 16, 2008 10:24:15 GMT -5
Is there such a thing as too much light for a saltwater tank. since it isnt my electricity down here, i leave my tank light on for like 18-19 hours aday. it does have a fan so the lights dont over heat, but my tank is growing plenty of brown algae. but other than that, is it bad for fish leaving the lights on soo long. |
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Post by Carl on Sept 16, 2008 10:48:36 GMT -5
Is there such a thing as too much light for a saltwater tank. since it isnt my electricity down here, i leave my tank light on for like 18-19 hours aday. it does have a fan so the lights dont over heat, but my tank is growing plenty of brown algae. but other than that, is it bad for fish leaving the lights on soo long. Although I have no scientific evidence to back this up, I would say you can leave your lights on too long since most fish/inverts are used to a certain lighting period. Also there are studies linking lunar cycles which are necessary for some fish and coral reproduction/propagation as Corals. IMO correct lighing over a 10-14 hour period is best. As in FW, brown algae can be an indicator of incorrect lighting (operative word is "can", not is) Strong lighting with the correct PAR will rarely produce much brown algae. See: Aquarium LightingCarl |
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Post by Chris4Reef on Sept 16, 2008 11:19:07 GMT -5
yea my tank is in direct sunlight and 18 hours of PC lighting. that might be alittle excessive ;D
i saw that article on LED. i cant wait to look into this more, it would be cheaper and not heat up tanks like HM.
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Post by eve on Sept 16, 2008 12:29:56 GMT -5
WOW that is overkill in my opinion especially if you keep corals in your tank they need their light cycles which means about 12 hours a day, and if you have a moonlight, leave that on at night but 18-19 hours?   |
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Post by Chris4Reef on Sept 16, 2008 12:34:18 GMT -5
no corals only a BTA and two clowns.
whenever my lunar lights go on, my female clownfish gets upset and hovers in the corner.
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Post by eve on Sept 16, 2008 12:37:59 GMT -5
no corals only a BTA and two clowns. whenever my lunar lights go on, my female clownfish gets upset and hovers in the corner. hmmm, well IMO still overkill don't you have to deal with lots of algae that way? or are those lights not that strong? |
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Post by Chris4Reef on Sept 16, 2008 13:19:43 GMT -5
i know BTA needs high light so seeing how my lights arent HM or anything, i would compisate with leaving crappy lights on longer.
other than that, the lights wouldnt need to be on that long.
um just brown algae on the back wall. nothing else.
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Post by Carl on Sept 16, 2008 13:30:03 GMT -5
i know BTA needs high light so seeing how my lights arent HM or anything, i would compisate with leaving crappy lights on longer. other than that, the lights wouldnt need to be on that long. um just brown algae on the back wall. nothing else. Unfortunately leaving lights that are low intensity or incorrect PAR longer will not make up for deficiencies, or grow low light algae such as Brown better. The LED certainly may replace MH someday, however their price has a long way to go. I honesty am not holding my breath too much here and think the the other upstart that is getting less recognition in the anecdotal reef keeping hobby is the Induction Lamp which is already in production at much less money than the LED and has properties that are the same or better than MH with half the heat output. The problem is that those making these bulbs are currently not making them in aquarium compatiible PAR/Kelvin ratings, and may never unless the aquarium industry pulls their head out of you know what since supply and demand is what drives production (sorry to be blunt here, but the aquarium industry is often so backwards when it comes to lighting). Aquarium Lighting; Induction LightingCarl |
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Post by goldenpuon on Sept 16, 2008 14:41:34 GMT -5
I don't think it is good to leave lights on that much. 10-12 hours is good. Rather than leaving the lights on longer if you don't have bright enough lighting (not sure if that's what tyou said or not), try to replace them with better quality lighting. That should help with the growth of your corals and fish and eliminate some of the brown algae. Also, are you overfeeding? With my many brown algae scenarios, that was the case. Even just a few uneaten flakes of food laying around for a week can cause a brown algae bloom if conditions are right.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 16, 2008 18:49:07 GMT -5
my suggestion would be to use a timer and just have the lights on when you are home to enjoy them. they do need a day/night cycle, but I feel 2 small time frames are better than 1 huge one. I do this on my tank and I have never seen my fish stretch and yawn. they seem to adapt to 2 day cycles and 2 night cycles in a 24 hour period.
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Post by Carl on Sept 16, 2008 19:27:41 GMT -5
my suggestion would be to use a timer and just have the lights on when you are home to enjoy them. they do need a day/night cycle, but I feel 2 small time frames are better than 1 huge one. I do this on my tank and I have never seen my fish stretch and yawn. they seem to adapt to 2 day cycles and 2 night cycles in a 24 hour period. Good point Bill!  I cannot think of too many service clients I did not have a timer on (my home tank as well) Carl |
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Post by Chris4Reef on Sept 16, 2008 20:09:07 GMT -5
yeah my tank is on a timer. i changed it so it goes on at 10:30 and goes off at 11:30
on a side note, i believe the true perculas might breed in a few months. they have been swimming and the male has been cleaning the rock alot.
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Post by Carl on Sept 17, 2008 9:16:58 GMT -5
yeah my tank is on a timer. i changed it so it goes on at 10:30 and goes off at 11:30 on a side note, i believe the true perculas might breed in a few months. they have been swimming and the male has been cleaning the rock alot. That is cool! I hope their breeding goes well! Carl |
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