Tank Lights On and Off Several Times a Day ?

[mike31154]

Invest a few $ in an automatic feeder and that can take care of at least one feeding cycle for you. I use an auto feeder set up to feed 3 times during the photo period. I supplement the evening feeding with frozen when I'm at home. I find it takes my critters a good half hour to forty minutes to really come around and get comfortable. They tend to be quite careful and shy for the first little while. They into a good 'feed' mode after that half hour and I think much of any food I put in there immediately after the lights come on would go to waste.

[Funky_Fish14]

I agree with this suggestion. I also find similar behavior with my fish.

Just make sure you pony up (the $) and get a quality auto-feeder, and even one that is heated is actually a good idea. The heat prevents the food from getting moist while 'above the tank' (from evap or spalshes). Also, NEVER fill it with flakes, these will jam and be messy. Flakes suck anyways. Use some sort of generic pellet, like NLS marine formula, or Ocean Nutrition Formula 1 or two.. Any generic marine pellet really.

Cheers,

Chris

[BlueAbyss]

11 hours shouldn't be a problem... I was running 12 for several months last year and found no ill effect.

[Funky_Fish14]

Fish fish's lights are on more than 12 hours a day and my fish do wonderfully.

What time of the 'morning' are you talking? Im sure you could extend your photoperiod by a 2-3 hours no problem.