Re : Filter & Light

Question
Hi

I would like to now how long should the filter in the tank be kept on ?
I would like to know how long can the light in the tank be kept on ?

Answer
Hi Clive,
 The filter must be on all the time.  If you turn it off, then the bacteria die.  You cannot for instance have it on during the day and off at night.  It is okay to turn it off for a few minutes here and there.

 The light can be on or off as much as you want.  The light is for your viewing pleasure -- in most cases the fish don't care. If you are trying to grow plants, that is a different story and you need lots of light for many plants.  However, if you have the light on a lot, say 24 hours a day, then you will get a lot of algae growing.  There is nothing wrong with algae from a tank-health point of view, in fact, lots of fish like to eat the stuff, but some people don't like the looks of it. If you want to make a realistic tank, then lots of algae is great -- every system I have ever seen in the wild, which is many, has lots of algae.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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