Can I switch off the light of my aquarium at night when its time for bed?

Question

Will it harm my fish in anyway? It is a 5gallon tank housing a Male Betta.

Answer 1

You have to turn off the aquarium light for at least 8 hours, fish won't rest unless they have some kind of darkness. I only turn my fish light on at night after it gets dark until I go to sleep. During the day I use natural light (dont put the tank right in direct sunlight-too much algae this way!!).

Answer 2

It's best for the fish to have a day/night cycle like you get.

Are you using the light as a way to heat his water, though? You don't want the tank water to get too cold or change too rapidly. If his light is his heat source, maybe you'd want to leave it on, but put a covering between the light and tank so it stays warm, but gets dark. There are heaters that are made for tanks 5 gallons and less that could be used instead of the light.

Answer 3

Yes, you can turn the light off at night. Technically, you aren't supposed to leave it on 24 hours a day anyway. The best thing to do is to turn it on in the morning before work, and turn it off before bed, that way the water remains the right temperature, and the fish maintains it's natural habitat.

Answer 4

Put a thermometer on your tank. It should read between 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Take readings with the light on and off.

If the temperature stays within normal limits then it would be a good idea to turn the light on and off in order to keep your fish on a normal biorhythm.

Answer 5

Go to the hardware store and buy one of those lamp timers. You simply set it for what time you want the lights to go on and off. Fish need a day night cycle to stay healthy, they could get stressed out if there is constant light, not saying they will, but could. Plus it would help save money on the electric bill.

Answer 6

Yes, you should turn off the light, because fish need their nighttime, too. You can get a cheap timer to turn the lights on in the morning and off in the evening (10 hours per day of light is good), or just turn it on when you get up, and off when you go to bed.

Answer 7

Yes, you are actually supposed to turn them off at night. Leaving them on for too long will also cause you to have algae problems. If you don't have live plants that need the light then you don't even need them on at all other then for your enjoyment by being able to see your fish.

Answer 8

Yes, fish have night too. Turn it off before bed, and on again when you get up

And thank you for not keeping your betta in a vase or "betta home"

Good luck

Answer 9

It's probably actual better if you do turn them off at night.
In nature, fish deal with "dark" water at night. Yours will enjoy the rest. Fish don't actual sleep, they just kinda "slow down" and aren't very active. It will help cut down on algae too.

Answer 10

You should switch the light off every night. The fish also need sleep.