What watt of lightbulb should you use in a tank for gold fish and what wattage is too hot?

Answer 1

Fishbarn's right - goldfish like cooler water and fluorescent will not produce as much heat as incandescents. If your hood is an incandescent, it will say what the maximum wattage will be on a tag or engraves in metal or on ceramic inside the fixture. Or, just use the size of the bulbs you had in it (provided they were the originals) - the bulbs will have the wattage stamped on them.

You goldfish actually don't require a light right on their tank - this is for you to see them as much as anything. As long as they are in a place where they can distinguish a daytime and nighttime (from room lights or an open window), they'll be happy.

Answer 2

for gold fish, there really isn't any need to worry about how much wattage you need in the tank, unless you have a really high wattage tank that produces so much heat. Goldfish like cold water conditions. Let me just say that the quality of lighting is more to satisfy you (better to look at) than the goldfish.

Answer 3

It depends the size of the tanks. My 10 gallon tank has 25 watts for 2 bulbs

Answer 4

A florescent light are the best type of light to use over a fish tank. They do not products as much heat as incandescent lights can. Use what ever watt bulb the manufacture suggest for your type of light hood. Safety first.

Answer 5

The lowest wattage that you can find. I dont ever have my light on because even after 30 minutes the tank gets too hot. Just leave the light off unless you need it for a few minutes and then turn it off again.

Answer 6

This really depends on the size you have. you will want to monitor temp changes with a stick on thermometer also.

a normal change in day time night time temp is around 10 degrees Farenheight gold fish can tollerate cold but flourish at slighlty warmer temps of 72-78 F
as long as the light doesn't swing temps too much, you'll be fine with whatever.

for my dwarf frogs and one of my bettas a 15 w has been a saving grace. good luck.

Answer 7

Yes fishbarn is correct. However, goldfish do need a certain amount of lighting. Having lower levels of light will change the color of your goldfish over time.

Usually watts per gallon is 3-5 watts per gallon of water. Although lighting in some cases will heat the water to a small degree, heat rises and leaves thru the holes in the lighting system.