Does anyone run their lights during the night?

[Chris86]

I work night shift, and I'm about to setup an sps dominate tank. I think I want to start the lights sometime in the afternoon. Would this be detrimental? Do I have to cover my tank during to day to block sunlight from the room? Thanks!

 

[Joey waid]

I think a lot of people do, but they need to be on some kinda schedule. It's good for fish and corals to have a day and night. I do run my lights more than I should, but they are on blue at night so I can see them. The only time I have to enjoy them is late at night...

 

[mcarroll]

Yup....they need a schedule. But it should definitely match your viewing schedule.

The only way I image it could be a problem is if they were in a room that was quite bright during the day. I think some actual dark period is necessary.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Yup ambient light during the day could throw off your fish's sleep schedule.

 

[cmcoker]

My buddy used to do something like 6pm to 4am cause the halide s added too much heat during the summer daylight hours. He didn't have any issues I'm aware of

 

[Starwar]

Like others said...it would be okay unless you have ambient light coming through a window. My trigger would freak out if he didnt have a set night schedule

 

[Chris86]

I could get something to cover the glass during the day. Probably the best for the fish. Thanks for your help everyone.

 

[lion king]

I run my lights late afternoon and night because that's mostly when I would have time to view, been doing this for years. Your corals and fish don't know if it's noon or midnight.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I run my lights run from 5pm to 3am. Switching to that schedule was done over a two month period moving a few hours each couple of weeks. Works well but the tank is in the basement with the window blinds closed.

It does have a bit of ambient light during the day but I cover the glass with towels. The ambient light from the open top is more like moonlight on the tank and doesn't case any harm to the fishes sleep schedule

 

[sil40sx]

Mine starts at 2pm,. Ramps up for 3 hours. Then highest peek is 5-10pm. Because that's the time I am home.

Then turns off at 11pm.

 

[DustyXB9Reefer]

Yup. I have 2 blue leds that run 24/7 unless I unplug them (I really need to get another timer hahah) for a few hours but I have my blues kick on at about 2 and run till about 8 or 9 with my whites kicking on 30 mins after the blues and off 30 mins before the blues.