Since most aquariums in our homes house species from tropical parts of the earth they do fine with the same temperatures throughout the year, while species from the subtropics and temperate zones need lower temperatures during winter. Seasonal changes are part of their natural environment and cause changes in behavior. For example mating is often triggered by seasonal changes.
But these are not only changes in temperature and not only important for species from temperate zones. Seasonal changes include water conditions and changes in daylight hours. Even species from tropical climate zones are effected by seasonal changes and in my opinion a biotope aquarium should include this factor at least to a certain degree. For example changes in daylight hours may trigger a certain behavior as well as changes in temperatures.
For example: One night I decided to keep the "moonlight" (= only the blue LED) switched on for some more hours because I was up late. And all of a sudden a coral started spawning. I remembered, that most species of coral spawn at full moon. Obviously this change in lighting triggered the corals spawning.
Usually aquarists don't take into account such factors except if they want to breed a certain species. Even if I can't maintain temperature changes as full as in the natural environment of mediterranean species I will include at least changes in lighting according to the real day and night cycles. Lets see what will happen...
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