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Optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks..?
What's the optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks? What can
happen in both cases if the light period isn't regulated and just turned on at different times each day? Phil.. |
#2
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Optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks..?
You have to ask the tough question don't you.
optimum time frame for a planted tank can vary depending on the plants used. I have had tanks that do very well with only 4 hours of artificial light (2-3 wpg), and I have had tanks that required 12 hours Also I have had a tank that had no artificial light, it was in a south facing baywindow, exposed to direct sunlight (just a tiny bit more than 4wpg ) for roughly 5 hours a day, shaded during the strongest period by the hedge outside. That one required pruning every week. Can you tell us what type of plants you are looking at, and then I am sure someone can give you a better idea. Phil Williamson wrote: What's the optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks? What can happen in both cases if the light period isn't regulated and just turned on at different times each day? Phil.. |
#3
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Optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks..?
On Mon, 31 May 2004 16:02:05 -0400, "Phil Williamson"
wrote: What's the optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks? What can happen in both cases if the light period isn't regulated and just turned on at different times each day? Phil.. I have 5 tanks ranging from 75 to 10 gallons. I have "low light" plants. After going through a bad case of "black hair algae" I considered the hours of light and followed a suggestion to limit the light to 13 hours daily with a 2 hour 'off' period mid day. Not all tanks are equal. This schedule works fine for my 75 and 29 gallon, but those tanks have the larger colonies of scavengers. My 3 ten gallon tanks get brown algae on the glass and one 10 that has a huge Anubia, some of the leaves have a black looking algae. I haven't really experimented with different light schedules. I can live with cleaning the glass once in awhile so long my fish are healthy and the plants are healthy. If you are planning for a new tank, first consider what light will be available, that is, how many watts per gallon. Most of the standard aquarium kits provide only "low light" levels and that diminishes as the bulbs age. Unless you are a real plant nut, go for the low light plants. They also grow more slowly meaning less maintenance. I don't like non planted tanks. I even anchor plants in my quarantine tank (no gravel to hold the plants down). After your tank is adjusted to the plant and fish load, then I would tinker with the light hours. There is a problem with too many hours of light, in my opinion. Algae is the enemy. Plecos and Siamese Algae Eaters only do so much. There are other algae eaters, I have heard good things about the "American Flag" fish, but you are asking about light in this thread. I presume algae is the enemy you want to avoid. |
#4
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Optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks..?
What kind of lights do you have over your 10gal tanks?
"Dick" wrote in message ... On Mon, 31 May 2004 16:02:05 -0400, "Phil Williamson" wrote: What's the optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks? What can happen in both cases if the light period isn't regulated and just turned on at different times each day? Phil.. I have 5 tanks ranging from 75 to 10 gallons. I have "low light" plants. After going through a bad case of "black hair algae" I considered the hours of light and followed a suggestion to limit the light to 13 hours daily with a 2 hour 'off' period mid day. Not all tanks are equal. This schedule works fine for my 75 and 29 gallon, but those tanks have the larger colonies of scavengers. My 3 ten gallon tanks get brown algae on the glass and one 10 that has a huge Anubia, some of the leaves have a black looking algae. I haven't really experimented with different light schedules. I can live with cleaning the glass once in awhile so long my fish are healthy and the plants are healthy. If you are planning for a new tank, first consider what light will be available, that is, how many watts per gallon. Most of the standard aquarium kits provide only "low light" levels and that diminishes as the bulbs age. Unless you are a real plant nut, go for the low light plants. They also grow more slowly meaning less maintenance. I don't like non planted tanks. I even anchor plants in my quarantine tank (no gravel to hold the plants down). After your tank is adjusted to the plant and fish load, then I would tinker with the light hours. There is a problem with too many hours of light, in my opinion. Algae is the enemy. Plecos and Siamese Algae Eaters only do so much. There are other algae eaters, I have heard good things about the "American Flag" fish, but you are asking about light in this thread. I presume algae is the enemy you want to avoid. |
#5
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Optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks..?
I've got some cyrpts, swords, java fern/moss at the moment although I'd like
to get some new plants in the future. "Kris" wrote in message news:roNuc.7865$RK3.6073@clgrps13... You have to ask the tough question don't you. optimum time frame for a planted tank can vary depending on the plants used. I have had tanks that do very well with only 4 hours of artificial light (2-3 wpg), and I have had tanks that required 12 hours Also I have had a tank that had no artificial light, it was in a south facing baywindow, exposed to direct sunlight (just a tiny bit more than 4wpg ) for roughly 5 hours a day, shaded during the strongest period by the hedge outside. That one required pruning every week. Can you tell us what type of plants you are looking at, and then I am sure someone can give you a better idea. Phil Williamson wrote: What's the optimum light period for planted and non-planted tanks? What can happen in both cases if the light period isn't regulated and just turned on at different times each day? Phil.. |
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