Lighting break.

[simon Coram]

I've had my tank set up for a few weeks now and have the lights on for 6 hours to start with. Now I've read somewhere about a light break in the middle so say about 4 hours on 4 off then another 4 on while leaving the co2 on. Is there any advantage to this? Having fish in the tank will it just confuse the hell outa them?

 

[foxfish]

This has been discussed many a time, there are a few followers & lots of disbelievers.
I think it would be fair to say this is not a popular thing to do but if you want to try then have a go.
I think a shorter siesta is normally discussed, a one or two hour break in the lighting but, I wonder if the plants would stop producing oxygen after a short while without light & if that might jeopardise the fish if you still have the C02 running?

 

[kadoxu]

The 'siesta' method is used for tanks with no CO2 injection to allow some time for CO2 levels to rise again after being depleted with photosynthesis.

With CO2 injection it doesn't bring any benefits. Algae are also more efficient when starting photosynthesis, so you'll be giving them 2 head starts in a day instead of just 1.

http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/midday-lighting-pause-siesta-in-tanks-without-co2.36013/
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/mid-day-ciesta.673/

 

[Crusader58]

For 58yrs I've seen the sun rise, traverse the sky and then set....not once have I seen it disappear for a couple of hours in between.

 

[simon Coram]

Thanks I'll stick to what I've always done.
one continuous day. I did think that that plants will just start to get into the photosynthesis swing and then it stops for a bit then goes again.

 

[PARAGUAY]

Didn't or do they still advocate a lighting break at Dennerle,I think it's based on low CO2 levels used by their own system and products. It's got to have some merit if done correct ,not something I have tried

 

[micheljq]

For 58yrs I've seen the sun rise, traverse the sky and then set....not once have I seen it disappear for a couple of hours in between.

Strange i have seen it disappear often behind the clouds

 

[simon Coram]

Didn't or do they still advocate a lighting break at Dennerle,I think it's based on low CO2 levels used by their own system and products. It's got to have some merit if done correct ,not something I have tried

Thats where i got the idea from one other leaflets.

 

[Crusader58]

Strange i have seen it disappear often behind the clouds

Disappear from your sight, but not from the sky

 

[kadoxu]

Have you tried going to the beach on a cloudy day and not use sunscreen? I got a sunburn and learned my lesson

 

[zozo]

Even if it is for that alledged co2 purpose i guess it is very hard to proof that it is just more then a theory.. And then if i compair it to my low tech which has a rise and fall of pH of only 0,3. That would be around 3 to 4 ppm of co2 uptake by the plants from the available 6 ppm when the lights come on.

Theoreticaly every little bit helps, if it does wonders pratcicaly?? I rather believe it was some nerdy trend ( like a rain dance) that will fade away slowly into oblivion.