Do you have to have the traditional bright flourescent light for a fish tank?

Question

I' d like to get a black light or something similar for our fish tank, something to give it a nicer "glow". Would this be okay? We just got our first fish tank and are trying to learn what is okay and not okay.

Answer 1

No light or natural light is ok but black light is not....I just heard and read that somewhere...not sure why though

Answer 2

Well you "can" use a blacklight. But I wouldn't. I can't be good for the fish and it won't give a good view. I have both fluorescent lights and the 25watt tube bulbs on my tanks. I actually prefer the 25watt tube bulbs because it gives the best view of the fish and can be bought in the "natural light" versions. They are pretty cheap and are like $4 or less at Wal-Mart. Most of these lids come with bulbs already though. Fluorescent lighting is in most cases the best. It doesn't stimulate algae growth as much as other lights and doesn't get as hot, therefore is less likely to fry your fish, catch fire, or evaporate the water quickly. However I think because they give off such a "white" colored light, it makes it look kind of sterile and cold, not warm and inviting and happy like you would want you tank to look. But the 25watt bulbs get hot, so you must watch them and make sure its not on too long and that it doesn't raise your water temperature. Either of those will make the tank look great and will provide the light your fish and plants will need. A black light won't be good for you eyes or you fishes, it also will cause their colors to fade and will not support any plant life.

Answer 3

For normal lighting I take it?

The traditional florescent light is important because it gives the same type of light that keep the fish healthy. Tropical fish are best in an environment that mimics their natural habitat.

I'm not sure what you mean by a glow. There are numerous types of florescent lights you can get for your tank that show different spectrums of color, the one you probably got you will want to replace for better color. I use a Coralife Spectramax Super Daylight bulb in my tanks because it delivers bright brilliant colors without any yellow light. Its one of the best I have found.

As far as nighttime light, you can turn it off if you want, but you can also get a "moon" light that will give a simulated nighttime effect to the water and is sorta like a black light but without the UV rays hurting the fish. Keep in mind, you should only use it at night, cause the fish need natural spectrum lighting to remain healthy.

Answer 4

First of all, please tell me your name isn't Amanda Starr... Just saw your yahoo ID, and... well, long story. But just tell me that's not your name.

Ok, that being said, there are a variety of lights you can get for your fish, however, black lights are not recommended, generally because ultraviolet light is not good for your fish. Though UV light kills most harmful bacteria and protozoans, it will eventually start to harm your fish, especially the slime coating they need to protect them from disease.

If you want a blue hue, look into a blue actinic bulb (if you're anywhere near the Philadelphia, PA area, I have an extra 4-foot one that I refuse to use for my 55-gallon - you'd be welcome to take it off my hands). And for the night time, look into getting lunar lights (they come in blue if your order them from http://www.drsfostersmith.com ). Or, if you're really handy like my other half is, you can make your own lunar lights with blue LEDs, wire, a switch, and a power supply. It'll look like crap, but it does the job.

Congrats on getting into the hobby. Let us know if you need any help (specifically with the nitrogen cycle, which depending on how new your tank is, you're probably going through it right now).

Answer 5

What sort of fish? Generally tropical fish need a flourescent light but goldfish don't need any sort of light so I don't think a black light would be a problem. However, without proper light, they will start to lose their colour.

Answer 6

lets see, your betta, it is the hardest fish you ought to purchase, and the champion of small tank survival, died. This tells you something about the tank... If a betta can't stay in it, NO different fish will proceed to exist. Ian

Answer 7

they make flourescsent lights that come in different spectrems, check your local fish store

Answer 8

dont get black light ... fish dont like that ... it will damage their eyes..