For a few years now I have kept my light on for 12 hours a day.
However, I have always turned it on in the morning 6am to 12 noon and
then again in the evening 6pm to 12 midnight. I kept it off during the
day because of how hot the tank gets in the summer.

I never seemed to have a problem with this setup, but now am wondering
if its not such a great idea. Should I instead put the light on for 12
hours continuously? Say from 11 am to 11 pm ? Is there a difference
for the plants in processing CO2 and O2 ?

Much thanks

On Sat, 29 Mar 2003 20:21:22 GMT, wrote:


For a few years now I have kept my light on for 12 hours a day.
However, I have always turned it on in the morning 6am to 12 noon and
then again in the evening 6pm to 12 midnight. I kept it off during the
day because of how hot the tank gets in the summer.

I never seemed to have a problem with this setup, but now am wondering
if its not such a great idea. Should I instead put the light on for 12
hours continuously? Say from 11 am to 11 pm ? Is there a difference
for the plants in processing CO2 and O2 ?

Much thanks

Looking foward to hearing this discussion!! I have been operating a
similar setup but for only a couple weeks now. And actually I am
running mine for less that 12 hours to attempt to control a Algae
nightmare. Lifestyle dictates a split otherwise the lights would be
on for 18 hours a day.

"WhiskerFish" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Mar 2003 20:21:22 GMT, wrote:

For a few years now I have kept my light on for 12 hours a day.
However, I have always turned it on in the morning 6am to 12 noon and
then again in the evening 6pm to 12 midnight. I kept it off during the
day because of how hot the tank gets in the summer.


I'm torn as well. On one hand, I leaned a phrase in the Army; "Don't matter
how stupid it is, if it works, it ain't stupid." If the system is working,
then it's working.
On the other hand, your system is incorrect from a nature point of view.
Having continuous light, a sold day and night would likely work better IMO.
What would *I* do in your shoes? I'd get a timer and have the light on
12 hours a day or so, set to be on when you'll be around and want to watch
the tank. Mine are set to 9am to about 9pm, my bedtime.
Since we're concerened about heat from the lights, I'd get a power
converter and a small 12v fan and mount it somewhere unobtrusive. Put the
converter on the same circuit as the lights so goes on and off with the
lights. Whole project should come under 35 USd including converter, fan and
timer.

billy

I don't know if I've ever heard a definitive answer for this. Some people
claim the split lighting prevents algae. Others claim plants do best with a
continuous, 12-hour "day."

Split lighting would be convenient for me, because I like the light on in the
morning, when I feed the fish before work, and in the evening, when I get home.
And it does get hot in the middle of the day in summer. However, it does seem
rather unnatural. For the fish, as well as the plants. I know I wouldn't be
happy with my day divided that way. So I'm sticking with 1x12, at least until
there's more info on this.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

I never seemed to have a problem with this setup, but now am wondering
if its not such a great idea. Should I instead put the light on for 12
hours continuously? Say from 11 am to 11 pm ? Is there a difference
for the plants in processing CO2 and O2 ?

The whole concept of keeping the tropical plants at home is to bring the
"nature" to your living room. Why are we having powerful lights? -
Simulating sun light.

Initially I had 2x6 lighting with a gap of 4 hours. but now I have 1x12 and
I see lot of changes. Plants are growing fast. Their nutrient intake is
more. In 1x12, my plants continuously pearl for about 11+ hours. In 2x6,
plants will go to sleep more in the "off" period.

This is my $0.02.

--
Thank You

Dominic
http://www.dlink.org/aqua

I know this doesnt totally relate..but I thought it was interesting....
In my psychology class freshman year, they took a woman and put her in this bunker
like 1 mile under ground...no natural light, and not clocks anywhere...she was down
there for like 6 months. Her body eventually changed so that she was living on a 14
hour cycle....7 hours awake, floowed by 7 asleep....repeat....

so 2x6 may not be as unnatural as we think.... It may be a case of one is
better...but the other is whats really there...
I say, whatever works for you, keep doin it.

Rich

LeighMo wrote:

I don't know if I've ever heard a definitive answer for this. Some people
claim the split lighting prevents algae. Others claim plants do best with a
continuous, 12-hour "day."

Split lighting would be convenient for me, because I like the light on in the
morning, when I feed the fish before work, and in the evening, when I get home.
And it does get hot in the middle of the day in summer. However, it does seem
rather unnatural. For the fish, as well as the plants. I know I wouldn't be
happy with my day divided that way. So I'm sticking with 1x12, at least until
there's more info on this.

Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/