Leaving lights on for how long?

[TML182]

Just wondering how long you guys would recommend leaving my lights on. If kept fish for quite awhile but just recently got into live plants. I currently have two flouresent bulbs (each 30 watts) and two t-5 bulbs (18 watts each) in a medium planted 50 gallon tank. Any suggestions for times?
Thanks!

 

[Crepe]

As long as you want, really. Start out with a lower photoperiod ~6 hours until your plants get established. Then crank it up to 8-10 hours.

Edit: didn't finish that thought. After the plants are grown in 4-6 hours is enough light time.

Down to preference and what you are keeping though.

 

[mom2reds]

I leave mine on for about 10 hours and have been lucky so far with no major algae problems, but i just up my watts for 1.3 to 2.6 with 4 x 65 watt bulbs over my 100 gal. tank so i am sure i will have to adjust it some.

 

[mgamer20o0]

8-10 hours is normal.