The Light

[Clear_View]

Is it alright to leave the light on for a while on your fish tank? I only turn mine on when I want to really have a look at my fish and fish tank. The lady that I talked to at the LFS told me that the fish don't like it, which I believe because my fish scramble about a bit when I turn it on. Is it bad to leave it off most of the time though? I have light in the room from two windows, so it isn't always dark in there. Thanks for any advice.

 

[heresmike]

It's best to keep your lights on for a set amount of time each day, like 10 hours. Fish don't dislike light... they only don't like it if it's a sudden change from dark to light or vice versa. Turn off the tank lights before turning off the room lights, and turn on the tank lights when the room is already illuminated.

Most people use a timer so the lights go on and off at the same time each day.

 

[fishboy04]

hey

i'm not really sure but i don't think they care if it is on or off but i have read on the forum that fry(baby fish) seems to grow faster with the amount of light and temp and food so i think it's all in the mind of the person with the tank. but i alway have a set time for when i turn the lights off and on so u might want to try it. maybe for 8 to 10 hours a day because they can tell day form night. and make sure you don't leave the light on too long or u start to get too much alge growing. and for the scrambling my fish do that all the time it's nothing bad.

Good Luck and keep me posted

 

[heresmike]

hey

i'm not really sure but i don't think they care if it is on or off but i have read on the forum that fry(baby fish) seems to grow faster with the amount of light and temp and food so i think it's all in the mind of the person with the tank. but i alway have a set time for when i turn the lights off and on so u might want to try it. maybe for 8 to 10 hours a day because they can tell day form night. and make sure you don't leave the light on too long or u start to get too much alge growing. and for the scrambling my fish do that all the time it's nothing bad.

Good Luck and keep me posted

Just curious... why orange text?

 

[FishDan]

I agree, a set schedule for lights on and off is important. Turning the lights on and off is going to stress the fish. If I came into your room and randomly turned your lights on and off you'd be pretty bothered by it, same with your fish. Have the lights on when you are most likely to see your tank. Then schedule around that.

\Dan

 

[fishboy04]

i like to be diffrent if every=one was the same then the world would be boring so i just do alittle diffrent, and also it make my advise stick out more, and it's like a signature. try it

 

[jvis0606]

yeah keep the lights on during the day and off at night, or hook up a timer if you can't monitor it. also, try to keep lights on in the room when you first turn off the light, because sudden light changes can also stress them out (imagine creating a "sunset" type of atmosphere, where it gradually gets dark).

turning lights on and off freaks them out. also, for feeding, it takes up to 30 min for fish to acclimate themselves to the light, so its good to wait a while after turning the lights back on, to feed.

 

[ScuabaDuba]

The best thing to remember is consistency. Whether the lights or on for 8 hours or 10 hours won't make much of a difference. But just like humans, fish need day and night. What could make things considerably complex is if you have plants- the more light the better...but then you have to beware of algae.

 

[heresmike]

i like to be diffrent if every=one was the same then the world would be boring so i just do alittle diffrent, and also it make my advise stick out more, and it's like a signature. try it

IMO it's kinda hard on the eyes.

 

[Clear_View]

Okay thanks everyone for the information, I will keep a timer with my lights. I just hope my fish get use to it soon, I feel bad when they freeze still like a deer in headlights when I turn the light on and then scatter about scared. But I suppose they will get use to it. Well thanks again everyone.

 

[Clear_View]

Oh and fishboy04, I am from Michigan too, Port Huron, I have been to Kalamazoo before. Fun stuff