Do i need a Hood / light for my 55 gal aquarium?

Question

i have a heater, filter, air. but no hood. i have lots of light from the windows and regular room light. is that enough? no live plants, just going to get some fish.... Please help soon, i dont want to kill the fish when i buy them.

Answer 1

Lights will really help your situation. Light from a window will cause massive algae outbreaks. And a cover will keep fish from jumping out and bugs from getting in.

I suggest you read on www.aquahobby.com about cycling your tank too which is VERY important.

Answer 2

You don't technically need it, but you should definitely have it.
Without a hood, the fish can jump out of the tank, and the water will evaporate at an alarming rate - you will be topping off the tank every day.

Also, you don't need a light if you don't want plants, but you should want plants! just kidding. But you will want to see your fish and your tank will not look bring and impressive without any light. Also, if you put your tank too close for the window, algae will grow like crazy.

It is definitely worth the investment to get a hood and light. If you don't want to spend too much, get a glass cover (they sell them at petstores and they are cheaper than buying a whole hood) and buy a regular light fixture from walmart. They don't look at good, but you can fluorescent (brighter than incandescent) fixture from walmart/home depot at a way lower price.

Also, in case you don't already know, you must cycle your tank before you get fish, or you will kill your fish.
In the wild, and in established tanks, there are nitrifying bacteria that break down toxic ammonia from fish waste and excess food into less toxic nitrates. In a brand new tank, these bacteria don't exist, so any fish in the tank will produce ammonia, which, not being broken down by bacteria, will kill or weaken the fish. So, it is vital to cycle your tank.
There are a few methods. Do you have access to an established tank? These bacteria live in the gravel and in the filter cartridge, so if you can get some from another tank, you can put the bacteria right into your tank (don't let the gravel or filter cartridge dry out). If you do this, in a day or two, your tank will beready for fish.
Another way is to get Bio-Spira. It is the actual live bacteria in a little pouch, and your tank will instantly be ready for fish.http://fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.html

Other methods, which include putting a source of ammonia in the tank and letting the bacteria build up on its own, or putting a fish in and letting the fish produce ammonia (which borders on animal cruelty, because the fish will suffer from the ammonia in the tank), take 2 to 6 weeks before your tank is ready. If you rush that, any fish you buy may die, so try one of the instant methods I mentioned above (bio-spira or gravel from another tank)

Answer 3

A hood with a light is really only necessary if you want to view your fish with any degree of color (also you'll be able to spot sick fish or dead ones more easily -- they don't always float to the top!!). A hood will be helpful, though, in slowing water evaporation. You'll find yourself refilling the tank much more often if you don't have one.

You do, however, need a lid of some sort to prevent fish from jumping out.

Answer 4

The hood in basic terms somewhat facilitates heat up the tank. because of the fact of this people who've tropical fish get a heater because of the fact a hood won't warmth the tank up. Having a hood completes the tank and you will understand for specific your goldfish isn't flying out of your tank from leaping ha ha. do exactly no longer use the mild in case you do no longer choose too. the mild facilitates make your fish stand out and seem colourful and alluring!! additionally some suggestion is to get a much bigger tank on your goldfish. 10 gallon is in simple terms too small and could stunt there boost. there existence would be shorter then in the event that they lived in a 40 gallon tank.

Answer 5

You need a hood or the water will evaporate too fast. As you add more water you add more impurities until finally the water is toxic. Without a hood you should change the water a lot more often.

Answer 6

OMG - Get a hood light. Cheap and easy. You will be rewarded with improved sensory feedback when viewing fish.

Answer 7

we have had fish for a long time. so yes you do.
the fish use the sun or florescent light to know where the top is so they can come up and feed.also it will keep them from jumping out.have fun with your fish ,fish do play ,don't be afraid to get wet.

Answer 8

The only problem is fish jumping out