How necessary is it to turn off the aquarium light at night?

Answer 1

Fish need "sleep". They are used to a natural cycle of light and dark just like we are. Even though they don't technically curl up in bed and go to sleep, their metabolic rate slows down and their bodies will rest at night. If they don't get this down time, they tend to be more stressed, and a stressed out fish is extremely susceptible to disease.

Also, not turning off your light is just begging for an algae bloom!

Answer 2

It is necessary to turn off the aquarium light at night, because fish need the dark and the light. Just like in nature.

Answer 3

If you have a planted tank with a special plant bulb, or a true spectrum light, you MUST turn it off at night, or you will get serious algae problems. Otherwise, it is a good idea as running an aquarium light 24/7 also can seriously run up your electric bill. Also aquarium fish come from environments where there are natural night/day cycles, and it is better for them to be in an environment as close as possible to a natural one. Creating a day/night cycle will help to keep fish from getting stressed.

Answer 4

Fish do need periods of darkness.

Turning the light off will help reduce or eliminate algae.

Also the light might make it too warm ... the heater turns on and off to keep fish comfortable; but the light just stays on water may get too warm.

Not detrimental for once in a while though.

Answer 5

Actually, fish couldn't care less if you turn it on or not. They do just fine with just the natural daylight in your room. The aquarium lighting is more or less for our benefit, as it makes the aquarium look pretty and lets us see the fish and the interior better. So, on days with regular amount of sun light I don't even turn mine on unless I'm spending time in that room. Too much light will cause algae problems galore.

Answer 6

it is definitaly necessary to turn off the light at night, because fish are natural animals and have to have a day and night cycle just like everything else, and also....leaving the light on too long causes extra algae to grow.

Answer 7

Fish need a sleep cycle, just like every other living being. If you don't turn off the light at night, its likely to stress out your fish, causing health issues.

Answer 8

I always turn mine off. Mostly because its in my room.

But even if its not in your room, would you always like to sleep with the lights on? I'm sure that fish appreciate being in the dark once in a while. Afterall, if their in the wild, the water gets dark at night.

Answer 9

The necessity of it? I think it depends on what kinda fish you have. I think I remember reading that's it's important to keep a consistent pattern of turning on and off the light. I turn ours off when I go to bed but sometimes (more often than not) I forget and I don't think it bothers anything.

Answer 10

Very. There is always the problem of algae, which is caused by excess light. Also, especially if you have high wattage lights, electricity. Finally, fish do sleep. However they don't have eyelids. It's very hard for us to sleep with the lights on, imagine if your eyes were open!