we have a 10 gallon tank and i was wondering do i have to leave the light on at night or can i just shut it off i don't have it on durn the day. we just have goldfish so can anyone help please
2007-04-28 18:06:22 · 9 answers · asked by huff 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Hello when I first got my 10 gallon tank I asked the petshop person the same question. He said that fish do not need the light on. If you think about it fish live in the dark. Down below in the ocean or where the fish live it is always dark. The pet shop person told me that the light is really only for us. It helps us see them better when they are swimming around but the fish prefer that it is dark. The petshop person said that it is also a good idea to turn the light off after you are done because light sometimes will cause algae to build up in the water. Soo to answer your question.... You really don't need a light at all when it comes to having fish. Keep it off unless you are watching them swim around. I just love to sit and watch my fish and do it frequently throughout the day but when I am done I turn it off. I switch it on also when I feed them because I know it helps them find the food.
2007-04-28 18:13:57 · answer #1 · answered by lovelyandcarefree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The light is for the benefit of the aquarist unless you have live plants. Fish will get by fine with just room light.
I would leave it off to save on electricity. Use the money you save to get the larger tank you will need for the goldfish. They get large, and produce a tremendous amount of waste. 30 gallons for the first goldfish, and 10 gallons per additional fish is needed for them to grow properly.
2007-04-29 01:44:32 · answer #2 · answered by Tolak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's best to give fish a natural day/night cycle. It doesn't matter to them when the light is on, but 8-12 hours a day is plenty. You can put the light on a timer to make it more convenient for you. If they get enough indirect light in the room from other sources (windows, room lighting) it's not necessary to use the tank light at all (unless you've got plants, but the goldfish might eat these).
Eventually, the 10 gallon won't be a large enough tank for a goldfish - even fancy varieties can get 6-10" or more, common varieties can get even larger.
2007-04-29 01:14:15 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Turn the light off at night, so the fish get a rest from the light and turn it back on in the morning and leave it on all day and then turn it off when you go to bed. If you have young fish that are still growing it is important that you have the light on because the can develop spinal deformities without the light, but even then you dont have to have it on 24/7.
2007-04-29 02:23:37 · answer #4 · answered by wenchgirl04 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you have live plants,leave the light on a few hours during the day. Otherwise,just leave it on for short intervals,like when you want to watch them. Leave the light off at night. They like the dark. It's better for sleep-time to have it dark. Too much light will cause algae problems. The light from the room is enough for your fish.
2007-04-29 02:41:52 · answer #5 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can leave it on or off whenever you'd like. I won't bother the goldfish they are very easy fish to take care of in fact they can live up to 25 years old. If you have live plants you will want to leave the light on some but not so much to burn the plants.
2007-04-29 01:16:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shut the light during the night.Switch it on for about 5-6 hours a day.
2007-04-29 01:10:59 · answer #7 · answered by Dragon Buster 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can definetly turn the light out during the evening hours.
CT
2007-04-29 01:11:57 · answer #8 · answered by charity_j_thornhill 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It really dosent matter how long you keep the light on
2007-04-29 01:13:52 · answer #9 · answered by kimberly r 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋