Splitting light time?

[JCarnes]

I have just recently started my first planted aquarium (a 55 gallon low light setup). I currently have my lights on for 9 hours a day with no algae issues so far, but its only been running a week and is currently in the middle of a fishless cycle with ammonia.

I am trying to find out if I can split my lighting time. Right now it is on a timer for 9am to 6pm. However I would like to have it on for a few hours in the morning and a few hours at night. If I keep it on its current cycle I am going to be feeding the fish in the morning with no light on (is this going to be an issue) and then it is only on for 15 minutes when I get home from work.

I have read mixed reviews on splitting light times for planted aquariums and I was wondering if anyone has had success or failure with dark periods in their lighting?

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[Mebbid]

I rotated 6 hours on / off for my planted aquariums for quite a while and never had any issues because of it. Neither the plants nor fish seemed to care.

 

[The Trooper]

Can i wade in and ask how it would effect a fish only tank (no plants) also?

 

[Mebbid]

Can i wade in and ask how it would effect a fish only tank (no plants) also?

It would take them a little bit to get used to the sleeping schedule.. but it wouldn't effect them much, if at all

 

[Old Scales]

If you have plants be sure and make one of the photo periods at least 4 hrs long. This will give the plants time enough to crank up their photosynthesis and sustain them for the day. OS.

 

[Coursair]

I do 3 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening. My plants and fish are fine. I work weird schedules so I feed at odd times. Fish do alright.