5g betta tank - how long do I leave the light on?

[klfvilla]

Hi everyone, I've had my betta for two weeks today and he's been in his new 5 gallon half hex home for one week and things are going swimmingly. Today I did a 25% water change and used a gravel vac with success for the 1st time. He seems to be a very clean fish. My question of the day is about the light in the hood. The kids turn it on at 7am and we leave it on till around 10pm. Should I be shutting it off sometime during the day or is it OK for it to be on constantly? Thanks again,
Karen

 

[snickle]

10-12 hours a day tens to be best. More than that can help promote the growth of Algae.

I would get a cheap lamp timer and use that two control the light.

I run my tanks lights from 8am to 8pm

 

[snickle]

If the tank gets direct sunlight you might need to shut it off during those hours.

 

[jm1212]

thats a bit to much light. it will cause excess algea growth, so it would be best to keep your lights on for 8 hours unless your tank is unplanted

 

[Marinemom]

If the tank is planted then I would leave the lights on for ten to twelve hours. If it is not planted then I would knock down the time to about eight hours. Much more then that in an unplanted tank and you will be battling an algae war.

Marinemom

 

[TommyR]

Should I be shutting it off sometime during the day or is it OK for it to be on constantly? Thanks again,
Karen

Leave it on constantly for 8-12 hours a day unless the tank gets real good window light. My 5gal. betta tank light is on 8-10 hours a day. Planted with Java ferns.

Tom

 

[snickle]

Proably good advice all the way around. Limit the light and a some Java fern. Wonderful stuff.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i try not to keep the lights on too long when in a none planted tank.

 

[klfvilla]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The tank receives no direct sunlight, but is in a fairly well lit room with a large picture window nearby. There is one live plant in the tank (can't recall the name of it but it is not java fern). I am trying to get some java fern but Petsmart, which is my only local option, had nothing last week when I checked.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

if there is a plant in the tank i would try out 8-10 hours and see how it goes.