Do I absolutely need to turn off the light on my aquarium at night?

Question

What if I wasn't home for a week or so, and just left the light on the whole time. Would that harm the fish?

Answer 1

Just leave the lights off the whole time, if you have them on the whole time they are going to get stressed out, i rarely ever turn on my lights since i keep nocturnal fish, and i only turn it on when someone wants to see them.

Answer 2

you will need to cycle the tank first, so when you buy the fish, dont buy alot or the wrong fish. your only need 2 fish max, to start cycling the tank. if you didnt set up the filter or gravel, you must do that before you start to cycle. Test kits are very important. you will need to get one, as you have to start testing your water when cycling. Watching your water parameters(ph,ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, harndess) is very important for the success of the tank. I would make two trips, the first trip to get gravel and live plants etc.. No fish. Set up the tank and allow the pump to run with the gravel and the plants. About 2-3 days after that, you can get 2 fish to start seeding or cycling your tank. This means the fish are needed to add ammonia to the tank and establish it. These fish must be hardy as the tank is uncycled and it is hard for fish. You should also get a water conditioner, my favorite is stress coat. Also get some aquarium salt. These two items will be neeeded for any successful aquarium. The air should be on all of the time.

Answer 3

If you're going away, the easiest thing to do is to put their light on a timer (as long as it will come back on - some of the older fluorescent lights won't start back up unless you press the switch). If that doesn't work, leave the light off, but try to have the tank somewhere where there's enough outside light they get a day/night cycle - even if it's hrough a closed curtain or blind.

Answer 4

Get a timer for your aquarium light . Set the timer to the type of fish you are raising. Some fish are use to longer day light hours. Having the correct settings will mean having healthier fish for you.

Answer 5

You should only have your light on for 8-12 hours a day. If you don't have live plants, you probably don't even need it. The light helps to make their colors more vibrant but if it is on all day then it stresses the fish out.

Answer 6

Well, for one thing, it is a complete WASTE of electricity and contributes to global warming(and light bills.. For another thing, the fish need to rest and it isn't exactly easy to sleep with lights on. It is extremely bad for their health. Nocturnal fish will be inactive too. FISH NEED A STANDARD PHOTOPERIOD. A lot of hardware shops sell automated timers like the kind that turns off and on your house lights when on holiday. you might want one.

Answer 7

WOW GLOBAL WARMING!!! Right!
Get a timer that is rated for the amount of watts or amps those lights are using. Set it and forget it. Home Depot is a good place to find one. Remember you get what you pay for.
And to make sure you drive a " prius" on vacation.

Answer 8

it would be better for the fish to turn the light off altogether while youre away rather than leave it on all day and night - it can mess up their cycles and actually stress them and make them sick.
.

Answer 9

leaving your light on all the time can cause you to have alot of algae, as well as disrupt the fishes day night cycle so they try and stay awake all the time (or asleep and hidden in the case of nocturnal fish) and it stresses them out. you shouldnt leave your light on more than 12 hours a day, and if you dont have live plants, less than that is good.

Answer 10

yah u need to turn off the light during night time