blacklight

[vato]

no fish don't sleep as a human would. They really only "rest" that is probably why the blacklight might not be a good idea to have on all the time. both the black and red light I don't feel are a terribly good idea if they are going to be on all the time. For instance Ultra Violet light affects the sleeping atterns of a human. We cannot see this spectrum of light, but it still affects us, so I don't think that it would be the best to leave on all the time. Same goes for the red spectrum, fish might not be able to see it well, but I bet it still affects them in some way shape or form.

 

[cohazard]

I wouldn't use a blacklight, just knowing how light changes affect and can stress a fish. Prolonged exposure to UV is damaging, especially to the eyes. It sounds to much like you are putting your interest above your fish.

Well lark, what about the changes in light in saltwater aquariums? People with reef tanks (most have fish too) have a lighting system that is really bright during the day and switches to actinics at night.

Also, I'm guessing you didn't read through the rest of the thread before you posted because you would've read about the fact that there are two kinds of UV light. UVa and UVb, one is damaging to eyes, the other is not (one is emitted by blacklights and one is emitted by UV sterilizers).

One last thing....I posted questions regarding blacklights BEFORE I used them on any tropical fish (I was testing the light on some feeder goldfish). But then (as I posted earlier in the thread) a very well informed member of these forums told me about the two types of UV light and even provided a link as proof.

 

[lark]

UV light is actually divided into three types. I am also aware that that one is considered harmless. Acording to the National Occupational Safety and Health however, it isn't. All are associated with either corneal damage or damage to the lenses including cataracts. Human beings as they age develop a yellowing of the lense that can help protect the eyes from these types of light which may be why many people consider it harmless. Young children who haven't developed this are very susceptible to all types of UV light. Fish, though I am not sure, probably never develop this. Like I have said before, using a blacklight sounds to much like are just trying to please yourself and not giving an honest appreciation to the stress it can cause. This is selfishness and bad husbandry.

As for reef tanks, I wouldn't know I have never kept a reef tank and so do not know what the lighting requirment are.

 

[aquaguy1331]

You want your fish room to look like it was just raved? lol you might want look into what bulb you are going to get. so are just black tinted while others are uv lights.

 

[cohazard]

Lark, can you post a link, or list your sources as to where you're getting your info from?

If blacklights can damage younger peoples eyes, then I don't understand why the store called "Glo!" at Universal Studios Hollywood exists. The only lights present in the store are blacklights.

I wouldn't use a blacklight, just knowing how light changes affect and can stress a fish.

As for reef tanks, I wouldn't know I have never kept a reef tank and so do not know what the lighting requirment are.

In reef tanks, most people keep actinic lights on timers so that a simulated "day" and "night" periods are created. At night, the only lights on are the actinic lights which is basically a blue light. That "light change" doesn't seem to stress them out. What about when the lights go on or off? Are you stressing out your fish with those "light change(s)"?

 

[OrionGirl]

Umm, actinic light is not the same as black light, nor are they on all night. They are used by most to stimulate dawn/dusk, and to supplement other lighting--many corals needs blue spectrum.

 

[TKOS]

Ultraviolet or UV light can damage the eyes in several ways. Excessive exposure to the lowest wavelengths of UV light, also called UV-C, (180-290 nm) can cause damage to the Cornea as well as the Lens. These wavelengths are not common in nature, since they are absorbed by the atmosphere, but are present in in some industrial environments, such as electric arch welding. The mid UV wavelengths, also called UV-B, (290-320 nm) can cause damage to the Lens as well as cause welders eye (feels like sand in the eye). Mid UV light is present both in sunlight and in some industrial environments. The high UV wavelengths, also called UV-A, (320-380 nm) are present in all outdoor environments. Excessive exposure can cause fatigue or snow blindness.


Blue light (380-480 nm) can cause damage to the Retina (the back of the eye). Blue light is present in regular sun light, as well as in office environments (computer screens generate Blue light) and in select industrial applications.

http://www.elvex.com/facts11.htm


The thing is that as humans we can make a choice. Part of that choice is that we can leave a damaging environment and recover. UV essentially sunburns or fatigues our eyes and gettign away from it helps with recovery. Fish don't really have that same option or choice.

 

[lark]

The goal of aquarium keeping is to simulate natural habitats. I don't see blacklights growing on trees so I won't subject my fish to them. Not to mention that if you are breeding fish UV light can increase the chances of mutation. Like TKOS said, the fish are in a tank. They can only go so far. Would you know what to look for to adequately say they were stressed or not and wanted to get out of the light?

The store probably has few or any real UV lights in it. They probably mostly have blue bulbs which must people also call black lights. Perhaps you are confusing the two. This is maybe why so many people have gotten different results when they have tried them. Some use UV and others use a blue bulb and call it the same thing. Both are still damaging to the tissue however.

Sudden or odd changes in light will stress a fish. Observe a fish's movements when it has been sitting in the complete dark and you flip a switch. Fish align themselves to a light source so they are very sensitive to lighting conditions.

For further reading reagarding children and UV this article has several references.

http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/fall99/ultraviolet.htm

 

[cohazard]

Umm, actinic light is not the same as black light, nor are they on all night.

I used actinic lighting as an example of changes in light (which lark said stresses fish). I was not comparing it to blacklights (meaning, I wasn't implying that the affects of actinics are the same as blacklights). Plus, I never suggested or condoned using blacklights "all night".

The store probably has few or any real UV lights in it. They probably mostly have blue bulbs which must people also call black lights. Perhaps you are confusing the two. This is maybe why so many people have gotten different results when they have tried them. Some use UV and others use a blue bulb and call it the same thing. Both are still damaging to the tissue however.

Good point about our goal is to replicate natural environments. But I'm not sure you understand my reasoning for bringing up the "glo" store. It doesn't matter if they're using blacklights or blue lights, if both are damaging, then why is it that those types of lights are the only lighting in the store?


TKOS, very informative article, thanks for posting it. Makes you way more credible than anybody here (even the member I mentioned earlier). I'm not sure if fish's eyes could recover from damage like humans eyes, but it's not like I used to keep the blacklight on all day or all night. At most it would be on for 4 hours at night.

 

[lark]

You have missed the point. Let me reiterate.

1. Fish are accutely sensitive to light

2. UV and blue light are hazardous

This is beyond reproach. They are not given a choice if they would have the light. The light causes cell damage. The use of them is unnatural and wrong in keeping with good fishkeeping practices.

As for the store, who cares? This is not about the ill effects towards humans. The light has side effects and you can expose yourself to this danger or not.