From Darkness comes the Light.

[JamisonBWolsh]

Heres a question:

I have all the lights on my tanks on a timer. So, every morning, the tanks go from completely Dark to completely Light. MOst of my fish is fine by this. Problem is my Albino Tinfoils. Once the light comes on, there cannot be even a SLIGHT movement in the room or they go crazy. Swimming into walls, other fish, glass top. Their nervousmess last for about 5 mninutes..then their back to normal. I know that I should do a gradual light change, but thats not possible, due to my job (I leave my house at 6am).

So..heres the question:

Has anyone used those LED system lights? I was thinking of using that on when the main lights turn off. This way its not pitch black.. would this ease the Psychotic nervousness my albino tinfoils feels in the moring.. thanks...

I would have 2 or 3 blue LEDS in the back top..shining down on the bubbles...

[Darkangel]

Are these tanks in a room with no windows? If there are windows the simple answer is to have the lights come on after the room is naturally lit. If there is no sun light source buy a timer or turn the lights on in the room before the tank lights come on. That should solve all the problems.

[pinballqueen]

The led's are pretty nice, and they do add a little ambient lighting to the tank, so they might help a little with your problem. I would suggest the amber colored ones, as the blue and green ones don't shine all that brightly, they just cast colored shadows in the tank.

[JamisonBWolsh]

There is no windows in this room. Great idea though. I keep my tanks in my "bedroom"- So, lights come on at 5:27am. I wake up at 5:30am, maybe I shouild set the timer earlier, so their wont be any movement? Even if there is no movement in the room, they still go spastic sometimes... What do you think of the LED idea? or do fish need pitch black night?

Thanks Pinball queen. Is it ok to leave them on all night untill the morning?

[pinballqueen]

mom leaves hers on 24/7... they simulate moonlight...

[JamisonBWolsh]

does she use the amber color, blue, red, purple?? or what? I dont want it to look "unnatural"

[Mr.Jingles]

I think you gave the natural approach up the moment you bought those tinfoils...

[JamisonBWolsh]

so you say... They do look nice in my 60 gallon tank.

[Sumpin'fishy]

One thing you may want to try is to have a small lamp on the other side of the room come on about 15 mins prior to the tank lights. Make sure it's a lamp that won't be too stressfull to either you or to your fish, until 5:30. I'd turn on the lamp about 5:15(auto timer). This way there is some dim light in the area without the fish feeling like they are in the "spotlight" right off the bat.

I think the most stressfull thing to them is that their lights come on first. Full daylight outta nowhere!!! It would bother me too waking up!:mad: :D

[keely]

How long are the lights on altogether? Maybe they're just not getting enough sleep ;) I'm sure I'm missing something obvious here, but why don't you just have the lights come on after you leave for work... and enjoy the fish when you come home?

[slipknottin]

What type of light hood do you have? It might be a simple job to rewire it or buy another ballast to make one bulb come on at a time.


some ballasts and controllers can actually dim fluorescent bulbs (without negativily effecting their output or life). There not cheap, but its the ultimate solution.

[goldfish freak]

I agree with the idea of turning on a lamp first, then after several minutes turn the room lights on, then after several more minutes turn the aquarium light on. This way the fish receive a slow increase of light as opposed to an instant change. Give it a try, see if it helps.

[Cichlid Woman]

I use the lamp approach. When I get up, I turn on a small lamp in the room, which introduces the idea that it's time to wake up. After a few minutes or longer, I turn on the tank lights. It works. (Lately, I'm using the Christmas tree lights instead!! ... grin)

-- Pat

[Twilight]

I have some severens and parrots who do the same thing and it drives me nuts......I was thinking of trying different lighting also.

[BV77]

I put a small flourscent bulb in a lamp in the fish room. It only draws 20w of electricity. I leave it on 24-7 (never got around to getting a timer for it.) Leaving a small amount of light on at night, lessens the "morning shock" when the tank lights come on, but provides a small amount of light so parent fish can see their fry and are better able to protect them. This works, 'cause when the kribs have fry and I don't want to save the brood, I turn out the light for a few nights and before long, all the fry are gone and the other fish have smiles on their faces.

[JamisonBWolsh]

You guys give plenty of good ideas. I like the one with the table light. Problem is, I sleep in the same room with tanks, and I like my sleep..... I think I will try the idea using miracle beams LEDS. I will post some of the research I will make in a new thread.

* i should really proof read what I say, before submitting it!