Bedtime For Fish

[BronzeWolf]

Hello fishaholics,

This may sound like a stupid question, but when is lights out for the fish?
I know they need to rest etc but not sure when i should switch the lights off, last night i did it at 10pm do you think that is too late, will they become tired and unruly..haha should i put them to bed at 8pm. I do have real plants in my tank, so not sure how much light they need either.

Advice would be appreciated
Thanx

 

[rdd1952]

Well fry need to be in bed early but for the others, it really depends on what time they have to get up the next morning.

Seriously, there isn't a set time. They do need time with the lights off (actually they would prefer the lights weren't ever turned on). My tank lights are on timers that go out at 10 every night. If you have live plants, you probably need the lights on a timer so they get the proper amount (or at least same amount) of light each day. If you don't have live plants, leave the lights off except when you're there to view the tanks.

 

[vinylman]

FWIW, I set my timer to come on at 12/1pm, then go off at around 10pm. If you have more than one tube, though, try to stagger the time they come on and go off, ie set one to come on on its own, then have the other come on around half an hour later. Fish can't blink, of course, so two lights coming on together will send them from twilight to a blazing overhead sun.

 

[tibby25731]

I just switch the lights on when I get home from work (about 7pm) and turn them off about 11pm, this means the lights are on when I am relaxing and watching the fish. I leave the lights off at all other times, though I open the curtains when i go out in the morning and there is natural light for the tank during the day. i have 1 live plant in my tank and it seems to be doing fine.