do i keep the light on in my aquarium at night or day, the book i have says no longer than 8 hours but?

Question

does not state if that is night or day, also do fish need light at night?, as you may tell im an aquarium beginner.

Answer 1

don't put the light on at night during the day is fine fish need to rest during the night and if you have bottom feeders and a plec they like to come out when its dark .

Answer 2

The length of time matters more than the exact time the lights go on or off. What's most important is that it's consistant (happens the same time each day) and that the lights are on when you're around to enjoy watching the tank. So if you work or go to school in the mornings, the lights could stay off till 10am or noon, then you can see the tank later in the day.

The fish don't need to have light at all - that's mostly for live plants and for you to see the tank. But they do need to have a period when the lights are off (so it simulates a day and night).

Answer 3

You keep the light on only during the day unless you have sunlight in the room the aquarium is in. At night the fish need to sleep so leave the light off.

Answer 4

There are two types of fish, just as with all animals; diurnal (active during the day and sleeps at night) and nocturnal (sleeps during the day and active at night). Diurnal animals need light in order to keep their mental and physical bodies working on a correct clock. On the other hand, nocturnal animals need darkness to do the same thing. Turning the light on for an average day; 6-8 hours, creates the "daylight" necessary for diurnal animals. Leaving the lights off for an average night; 8-10 hours, creates the "nighttime" necesary for nocturnal animals. Plus, fish need their rest period, just as humans and dogs and all animals do. So, don't leave your lights on all the time or any nocturnal fish you may have will suffer. If you don't have nocturnal fish, too much light still causes algae to grow. So, no more than 8 hours, for sure. Plus, fish don't need artificial light at all, just so there is some amount of lightness for the diurnal fish to go through their cycle. Lighting really is just for humans so we can watch our fish, so leave your lights off during the day, and turn them on in the evening when you're home. Fish don't care when daylight and nighttime really are outside their house, just so it's constant in their little world.

Answer 5

The longer the tank lights are on, the more problem you're going to have with algae. Your fish also will do better with a "natural" dark period during each 24 hour period. Just like people, fish can sleep with the lights on but it's just more condusive and comfortable for them if it's dark. Some fish are nocturnal and need the dark to hunt and move around. 8-10 hours is plenty.

Answer 6

Keep the light on during the day and off at night. Fish need resting time too!

Answer 7

When i worked in a pet shop i was told that if there is good natural light in the day to only put the light on in the night, but I know many who turn the light off at night without any major consequence.

Answer 8

If you have live plants ,leave them on during the day for 8 hours. If you have no live plants,only leave them on when you want to get a better look inside the tank. Outside light is more comfortable and darkness at night is natural.Too much light will cause unwanted algae problems.

Answer 9

I usually switch the light of at night and leave it on in the day, it doesn't matter if you leave it on day and night but make sure the lights on for at least 12 hours for the plants need it to survive.

Answer 10

The light is completely unnecessary for fish, however water plants do need a lot of light, so you should leave the light on during the day and off at night if you have plants. If you do not have plants, then you can turn the light on whenever you want, but I recommend leaving it off at night, because fish do sleep.