Splitting lighting into 2 day sessions for tank?

[jas_soh]

Normally we would leave the lights for our tanks from 8-12 hours and I leave them on for about 11 hours a day. Was wondering if it's possible for us to switch the lights on in 5 hours shifts, then off it the next 3 hours and then on for another 4 hours or something?Has anyone tried alternative lighting hours other than 8-10hrs stretch? Please share your opinions on this.

The main reason why I am bringing is up is that some of us have to work really long hours and might be out of home for more than 12 hours some times and by the time we reach home, the lights are already shut off and we might not be able to look at our tank until the next morning.

[damsel-in-distress]

Jas,

I think the whole concept of artificially lighting up a mini reef is to simulate the real stuff - ie. dawn/sunlight/dusk in the open sea. Hence, most reef lighting systems incorporate actinic blue lights timed to come on go off approx. 1 or 2 hrs b4 and after daylight hours (ie. the MH/PL "white" lights come on for about 8-12hrs, especially in the tropics.

Intermittently switching on and off lights during the photoperiod only confuses the tank residents. I suggest that in your case, if you are unable to follow the lighting schedule of our typical day, you can set the light timer to come on later in the day and go off 8-12 hours later. That is why it is always preferable to locate a tank setup away from natural sunlight so that lighting can be controlled if and when required.

My tank is in my living room and I prefer to view my tank in the evenings. Hence, my actinics is timed to go on at 10am, followed by the MH coming on between 3-11pm. Actinics then go off at midnight. I bypass the OFF timer if I entertain visitors in the living room pass midnight to prolong the viewing phase.

Hope this helps your cause.

[alanseah]

for me.. i have my tank on at around 3pm then all the way to 1am..

[19percula]

ya i think is better to switch on yr tank light one go at a time

better not to split

any also try to switch on the lights the same time everyday

eg.

monday-3pm to 1am

tuesday-3pm to 1 am

and so on

[RAV-65]

Jas,

maybe you do wat i do, I have my tank in my room and the lights are programmed to turn on at around 8pm, it den runs till about 7am... The good thing is that when i come home, I turn on the aircon to help bring down the water temp, coz I dun have a chiller... so by not turning on the lights during the day when it's warmer, i control the water temp better....

For those who have their tanks in their room, u can always make a curtain to cover the tank to prevent the light from shining at you when you sleep...

Vincent Ho