On Fri, 14 Feb 2003 17:10:10 GMT, Bill Beam
wrote:

I'm trying to get rid of some green hair algae and found out from
reading these boards that I'm leaving the light on too long. I have
been turning it on when I get up - about 8:00 AM and off at about
11:30 PM. Plants seem to be doing great but the algae grows on the
plants where the light is strongest. Anyway, I would like to have the
lights on to see the fish when I'm most likely to be near the tank.
These hours are in the morning and before I go to bed. Question then:
Can I turn the light on from 8 to Noon - then turn it off and then
back on again at 9pm - 11:30pm? Will the plants grow OK and I'm
guessing less total light will cure my algae problem? Guess what
I'm asking is - Do plant's need continuous light or is sporadic light
for the same amount of time OK?
I would recommend an inexpensive timer to do the work of regulating the
lights for you. I have three timers for my lights so that I can turn on
separate banks for light at different times, slowly exposing the fish to
full spectrum after an hour of minimal light. Less stressful for the
fish, and in your case if you need to vary the light on an off easier to
keep up with.