Is it important that you cover your fish tank at night?

Question

Is it better for your fish health if you simulate a day and night cycles for them. You know by turning your aquairm light off at night and covering tank so no light gets in.

Answer 1

Yes, fish need days and nights. They rest in secure spots during the dark hours. However, covering the tank is not necessary unless lights from outside will be shining on the tank during the night. Too much light will also enable algae to grow out of control. If you have no live plants in the tank, only turn the lights on when you are there to watch them. This will keep algae at bay. Fish do not need electric lights, just a day night cycle.

I know of a retail store in California (in my youth) that received their first shipment of fish, placed them in the tanks (that faced the front windows of the store) and left for the night. In the morning they found about 25% of their fish on the floor, dead. Further investigation proved that headlights from cars making a turn at a nearby intersection flashed on the tanks at every traffic signal cycle, all night long, causing panic in the tanks.

Answer 2

Fish Tank Covers

Answer 3

Turning off the lights is enough for a day/night cycle, but yes, this is something they need.

As far as actually covering the tank, I would say the only covers that are needed on the sides would be if the tank was near a window and the indirect light (sunlight should never hit the tank directly, it can make the water heat up) was causing an algae problem. A glass cover for the top or full hood is a good idea - it can keep the fish from jumping out of the tank and reduce evaporation. But these are transparent so the tank lights can get through!

Answer 4

Fish Tank Top Cover

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is it important that you cover your fish tank at night?
Is it better for your fish health if you simulate a day and night cycles for them. You know by turning your aquairm light off at night and covering tank so no light gets in.

Answer 6

Yes, fish, like us, are designed for a night and day cycle. Turn off the hood light at night. I would not go so far as to cover the whole tank, though! That is a little excessive. Is there a light on in the room all night? A little light at night from the room is okay. In fact, sometimes nighttime aggression is lessened with a "night light."

Answer 7

yes. i have a tank and some fishes that are really active at night and by not having a cover on at night might cause them to jump out. so its always good to keep the cover on. i also think night temperature drops and by taking the cover off the temprature might drop down rapidly.
abut the light... i always cover the tank with a cloth at night so my living room light dont reach the tank. i prefer giving them a proper night like they would do in wild.

Answer 8

You shouldn't leave your lights on all the time, because that can heat the tank up too much and it'll hurt the fish over time. Give them a day-night cycle by turning the light off when you go to bed and back on when you wake up. But covering your tank isn't necessary, just keep the lid on.

Answer 9

Both the plants and the fish need some darkness. Light has a profound effect on the aquarium. For instance, If you keep lights on for 6 hours, switch off for 30 mins and light up again for another 6, algae won't grow as much, but you plants still get the 12 hours of light). Corral requires good moonlighting (as in, moon cycles). My algae problem disappeared when I introduced a sunrise/sundown dimmer. So lights make all the difference. The fish won't die instantly, but it will raise stress. Stress in any aquarium makes it susceptible to disease and shortens the life span of the inhabitants. So make sure there's 10-12 hours of dark, as well as light.

Answer 10

no you could just turn of the tank light when you go to bed that's what i do covering the tank would probably cause them lots of stress