How should I time my lighting?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Mr._Bond, Oct 21, 2004.

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  1. Mr._Bond

    Mr._Bond Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Denver, CO,Colorado
    I've read in several places that we need to give the fish in our tanks a full 12 hours of light as they are used to it, and it can cause stress if not done. I have my lights on a timer from 8 am to 8 pm, but the sun starts to rise before then (until daylight savings at least) and it's a room with several windows, and then at night, it's just out, no gradual change. Is this OK? Is the length of lighting that big of a deal? Any suggestions on how to use the rising and setting sun, but still get the correct lighting time in?
     
    Mr._Bond, Oct 21, 2004
    Mr._Bond, Oct 21, 2004
    #1

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  2. Mr._Bond

    Mr._Bond Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
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    Location:
    Denver, CO,Colorado
    Any thoughts at all about this?
     
    Mr._Bond, Oct 22, 2004
    Mr._Bond, Oct 22, 2004
    #2
  3. Diver_1298

    Diver_1298 Eyelash Blennie

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    Location:
    Lakeland, Fl
    I'll bite :-[ But, I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions...
    I turn my actnics on when I wake up in the morning. One half hour to 1 hour later I or my wife turn on the main 10k lights.
    I don't have a timer yet although it would make it a lot simpler, So as far as I am concerned you are two steps ahead of me. Nothing in my tank appears to be stressed out or put out with me for starting the lights at slightly different times each day. my 2 cents.
    And yes the tank is in a room with 2 windows but it does not get direct sunlight.
    Jim
     
    Diver_1298, Oct 22, 2004
    Diver_1298, Oct 22, 2004
    #3
  4. Mr._Bond

    Mr._Bond Feather Duster

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    Location:
    Denver, CO,Colorado
    Diver, thanks for the input. Nothing in my tank seems too upset about things either, just wasn't sure about the long term effects. Don't want my fish to lose any beauty sleep because the light comes in too soon...
    I don't have any sunlight that hits the tank directly, just lights the room pretty good. I'm probably just making a mountain out of a snail hill.
     
    Mr._Bond, Oct 22, 2004
    Mr._Bond, Oct 22, 2004
    #4
  5. crutkas

    crutkas Flamingo Tongue

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2004
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    115
    Location:
    Chicago, IL,Illinois
    I have 3 400w MH and I was thinking about turning one by one on in 30 minute intervals. Then do the same for turning them off. Nice sweeping that ... kinda .... mimics real life.
     
    crutkas, Oct 24, 2004
    crutkas, Oct 24, 2004
    #5
  6. Brian_B47

    Brian_B47 Astrea Snail

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    Sep 30, 2004
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    Location:
    Troy, MI,Michigan
    I have 3 VHO's (2 actnics 1 50/50's). I turn them on from 10am until 9pm. Then I turn on my MH ( 400w @ 13k) from 11am to 7pm :)
     
    Brian_B47, Oct 24, 2004
    Brian_B47, Oct 24, 2004
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  7. freshtosalt

    freshtosalt Astrea Snail

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    Location:
    Naperville, IL,Illinois
    O.K. I have been told that I need app. 4 Watts of light per gallon of water I have. I am only going with a FOWLR tank and right now I have a 30W Actinic with a 30W Coralife 20K in one hood. I also have a 15W Actinic that I use as "mood" lighting, i.e. turn on the 15 then 1/2-1 hr. later the 60W hood. Then at night I turn off the hood and leave the 15W on for app. 1/2-1 hr. more. I also bought a "moonlight" LED-lite with 9 LED's that I was going to run from app. 8PM-4AM... Any advice
     
    freshtosalt, Dec 6, 2004
    freshtosalt, Dec 6, 2004
    #7