My Fish Hate My New Light

[Reepicheep]

Hi guys, this is my first post!

I'm new to the world of tropical fish and am in need of some help!

I have a 40 Litre fish tank which has been running for about a month, with 3 bristlenose catfish, 2 black phantom tetras, 4 rummynose tetras and a bolivian ram, and they have all been going along great for the past month.

However, today i purchased a fluorescent aquarium light as i didn't have one yet (its one which is like a lamp with a bendable arm that connects onto the edge of the tank), and all my fish except for the catfish absolutely hate the light and the whole time its on they just cower in a corner or hide in a plant and wont come out.

I tried leaving the light on for a few hours and fed them to see if it would encourage them to act normally, however this didn't help at all. As soon as the light is turned on they hide for their lives! Im worried this is really really stressing them out and am now too afraid to turn the light back on.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?

Cheers

 

[rabbut]

After a month without a light, they are not used to the brightness. Simply place it on a timer, to come on at the same tie each day fr a while. Ensuring the room is brightly lit for an hour beffore and after the light commes on will reduce the shock to the fish.

HTH
Rabbut

 

[Reepicheep]

After a month without a light, they are not used to the brightness. Simply place it on a timer, to come on at the same tie each day fr a while. Ensuring the room is brightly lit for an hour beffore and after the light commes on will reduce the shock to the fish.

HTH
Rabbut

Thanks for the advice Rabbut!!!

How many hours should I have the light on for each day? Is it better to have the light on during the day or afternoon/evening period??

 

[Callum]

It depends on your plants really. If you have plants depending on what they are, you should keep it on for about 6-8 hours really. If you're like me and you have fake plants I reduce the time to 3 hours a day from 6pm - 9pm.

 

[waterdrop]

Tank plantings and decorative hiding places also help the fish deal with their own adjustments to light differences.

 

[muckluck]

I'd suggest only leaving the tank light on for 3 hours a day - because unless you've got real plants, the only use of the light is for you to actually see the fish (i know someone is going to correct me about this but that is what I thought the light was for) You don't want to leave it on for too long because that will lead to algae growing in your rank. Obviously if you have real plants there going to need more light.

 

[rabbut]

^^ spot on without live plants, the light is for our benifit not the tanks.

If you are growing live plants anywhere between 6 and 10 hours is to be aimed for, depending on what plants.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Reepicheep]

Thanks everyone for your help!

I do have a few live plants in the tank (I'm not sure of their names though) so I am buying a timer today and will plan on leaving the light on for about 6-8 hours each day, starting at about midday.

My plants are actually looking pretty sick at the moment, and I'm guessing this may be due to the lack of light.

I'll let you know how the plants and fish get on over the next week!

Cheers,
Reep