How long should saltwater aquarium lights be on?
For saltwater reef tanks containing corals, lights should be on for 9-12 hours every day. Corals need light to produce food. An algae in their tissue called Zooxanthellae processes light into energy and without enough light, the coral would die. Fish do not require light to survive.
How long do you run your lights reef tank?
between 9 and 12 hours
Essentially, the ideal time to have your lights on full is between 9 and 12 hours. Providing ramp up and ramp down time if possible. This gives the coral enough time (roughly 9 hours) to grow and reward from the photosynthesis.
What is the best lighting schedule for reef tank?
Most hobbyists run their aquarium lights a total of 9-12 hours per day, including a 1-hour sunrise/sunset. You’re safe to still run your sunrise/sunset lighting for the same time, but you should consider reducing the amount of time that your daylight spectrum runs.
Should I put my aquarium light on a timer?
Light and Algae Levels Too much light causes more algae growth. Reduce the time the aquarium lights are on to eight hours, or a bit less if necessary, to help reduce the algae growth. Monitoring algae levels can, therefore, help you determine if your lighting levels are appropriate.
How many hours a day should my aquarium light be on?
How long should I keep my aquarium lights on? To provide animals and plants the lighting they need, 10 to 12 hours a day is sufficient. Installing a timer or purchasing a unit with integrated timing can make lighting easier––just set it and forget it. Keep in mind algae loves light as well.
Do reef tanks need white light?
Corals don’t need a white light to grow in your reef tank. Instead, they need blue light to grow healthily. White light is more useful to humans, as it helps them ‘see’ the corals in the reef tank better. Below, I’ll discuss blue, white, and other lighting colors for reef tanks.
Is blue light good for fish at night?
No, you should not keep a blue light or any other colored light on in your fish tank through the night. Unless you have nocturnal fish, they depend on light cycles to maintain their sleep cycle. Leaving a light on at night will disturb this cycle and result in sleep-deprived and stressed fish.