View Full Version : Dumb Question that needs a QUICK Answer!
theblueprint
09-10-2005, 11:28 PM
Do you guys turn out the light to your fish tanks at night? If so, why?
kayla
09-10-2005, 11:38 PM
Yes for reasons such as algea and so the fishies can go nuh-night too! :thm:
Tetras_Rule33
09-10-2005, 11:48 PM
If the light is on long, algea comes?
scholar
09-11-2005, 12:13 AM
Just to stimulate the natural environment.
I actually turn the light on after the sunset and if I am going to watch them.
theblueprint
09-11-2005, 12:17 AM
ummmm...no one has answered my question....is it neccessary to turn off the light?
Tetras_Rule33
09-11-2005, 12:25 AM
Yes turn it off when you go to sleep. Thats what I do. Fish need some darkness too.
dlau21
09-11-2005, 12:42 AM
from what I have been told and what i have read....12 hours of light is good. But any longer will, as posted earlier, cause algae growth. Also, fish need rest too. a rested fish is a prettier fish.
sublime1184
09-11-2005, 3:49 AM
Do you guys turn out the light to your fish tanks at night? If so, why?
Yes for reasons such as algea and so the fishies can go nuh-night too! :thm:
ummmm...no one has answered my question....is it neccessary to turn off the light?
actually, if you would have read, someone did answer your question...yes I do, my piranha is very nocturnal and he would rather starbve then eat witht he lights on.
loach_lady
09-11-2005, 7:10 AM
fish have no eyelids. They need to sleep.
FreddytheFish
09-11-2005, 7:44 AM
also, hsving the lights on 24/7 can slowly make the temp go up
fish_breeder_05
09-11-2005, 1:11 PM
yes, noctornals and for the fish to rest (not sleep)
fish_breeder_05
09-11-2005, 1:13 PM
ummmm...no one has answered my question....is it neccessary to turn off the light?
yes!!! why leave it on at night is the qeustion :rant2:
jaylin
09-11-2005, 1:59 PM
Yes, I turn out all my lights. How else is the boogie man supposed to have a life.
thesydmonster
09-11-2005, 2:45 PM
Yes, the lights need to be turned off to stimulate the normal 24 hour photoperiod. Not only does it help the diurnal fish rest, that is when many nocturnal fish are active and will eat. If you leave the light on all the time, you tend to disrupt a fish's natural behavior.
As well as all the other things mentioned such as algae, heat, etc. :)
If you want to watch your fish at night, there are such things as lunar lights, I believe. I do not know much about them or how long people leave those on, though.
In the winter I keep the lights on in my smaller betta tanks....just to keep the temps up....and do more frequent water changes to battle any algae issue that may crop up as a result.
NatakuTseng
09-11-2005, 2:52 PM
You do not have to turn the lights out. The fish will do fine with them left on 24hrs a day. You will get more natural behavior with a 10-12hr lighting period however. Lights do not always make the water temp "go Up" all you need to do is move the light away from the surface of the water a little and that issue is eliminated.
So, turning lights off is not nessecary, reccomended yes. Many fish though being prepped for shows often are left in bare bottom tanks, with the lights on 24hrs a day for a couple months before a show. This helps them get used to that environment, and adjust quicker once being introduced into aquaria at the shows, and begin exhibiting their regular colors/behaviors sooner.
staceyanna
09-11-2005, 10:15 PM
I turn mine out at night. Not manually, but my hood light is on a timer ($5 at target) Goes on at 9am and goes out at 9:30pm.
If I didnt have the lights off my otto would NEVER come out of hiding to eat. I say try the moon lights as someone suggested, you can get them on eBay for $20 or so... I actually want one but I am not sure if my nocturnals would come out with these so I am waiting for now. Here is a link to the lights on eBay. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Submersible-LED-Moon-Light-Fresh-Salt-Aquarium-Corals_W0QQitemZ7710479662QQcategoryZ46314QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem)
theblueprint
09-13-2005, 4:09 PM
I turn mine out at night. Not manually, but my hood light is on a timer ($5 at target) Goes on at 9am and goes out at 9:30pm.
If I didnt have the lights off my otto would NEVER come out of hiding to eat. I say try the moon lights as someone suggested, you can get them on eBay for $20 or so... I actually want one but I am not sure if my nocturnals would come out with these so I am waiting for now. Here is a link to the lights on eBay. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Submersible-LED-Moon-Light-Fresh-Salt-Aquarium-Corals_W0QQitemZ7710479662QQcategoryZ46314QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem)
HEY IM FROM DC TOO!