Amount of light

[Lonewolfblue]

What would the minimum amount of time I should have my lights on in my aquarium? The only live plant I have in there is java moss. I do have an automatic timer for the light, but was just wondering the minimum amount of time the light should be on. During the day, the room doesn't get a lot of light, as I have my blinds closed while at work. Even with the blinds open, it's still not all that bright. Thanks...

 

[travis simonson]

I would say eight hours a day is about the minimum you want to run standard lighting on a tank. 8-12 hours per day seems to be the average range most planted tank keepers run their lights, with most tending toward the upper end of the range.

 

[shalu]

I use about 8 hours on all my tanks.

 

[Jchillin]

I give my tank at least 10-12 hours a day, with the 12 being done primarily on the weekend (family visits...well, you know).

 

[gheitman]

I have my lights on for about 11 hours a day on all of my tanks. Those Coralife Power Centers are one of the nicest accessories you can have on a tank in my opinion.

 

[workfortheman]

But with only java moss in the tank, might it be beneficial to just give it 5-6 hours or something, to prevent algae? Just curious!

 

[malkore]

I doubt they have enough wattage for algae blooms. I'd stick to 8-12 hours

 

[jcarlilesiu]

man, i think i keep my lights on too long.. i run them from about 7 a.m. till 9 p.m. 14 hours... but, all my plants are thriving, and i have ZERO algea, thanks to my American-flag fish (those things LOVE hair algea). Is there any other negative effects to running the lights that long? (other than the electric bill )).. anyway I guess I have always done it that much, and I don't want to change anything if the plants are doing well

 

[travis simonson]

I would say that if you can get away with 14 hours a day, go for it. I wish I could run my lights that long (so I can look at my tank even longer ) but I would be pushing the algae factor too far.

 

[Milan]

How about staggering lights? Would that simply be the sum of hours, or you have to allow for some lag time till the photosynthesis kicks in?

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I was just asking because java moss is a low-med light plant, and was wondering if I could get away with 7-8 hours. Currenyly I have the light come on at 6am, goes off at 8:30 am, comes back on at 1pm and stays on til 9pm for bedtime. I just have it on in the morning while I get ready for work, and it goes off when I leave. I don't get home from work til 6, and was just wondering if I could get away with it coming on around 3, rather than 1. I used to run it from 6am-9pm with no troubles, but just checking other options.