Do I turn the lights off in my aquairium?

Question

I just bought a 55 gallon aquaurium fish tank that came with all the bells and whistles, including lighted hoods. I thought that I remembered reading somewhere that it was good to turn the lights in the tank at night so that it can simulate light. Does it really matter if I do this, or is it a good idea?

Answer 1

Of course, you mimic in your tank night and day for your fish, just as you have it
It's especially important to turn off the lights at night to prevent major algae growth

I have all my tanks set to a 10 hour on during the day and 14 hour off at night cycle, which is best accomplished by buying a timer




Hope that helps
Good luck



EB

Answer 2

You should turn the lights off at night, fish also need time to rest like we do, if not it causes stress. Also having the light on for to long will promote algae growth. I suggest turning them off when you go to bed and then on next early afternoon, try for no more than 8 - 10 hours of the light being on (unless you have live plants). The thing with tank lights is that they are for your viewing only, the fish get enough light from the room during the day, you should only use the tank light when you want to view the tank or during feeding to make sure all fish are eating.

Answer 3

Fish only need to be able to distinguish between day and night. The ambient lighting in your home is sufficient for this as fish do need to rest. Fish don't need tank lighting, only use lights 4-6 hours per day for viewing, if at all.

If you have live plants in the tank, then you should see what the lighting requirements are for your plants and purchase the appropriate bulbs. Even with plants, you need to provide a 10-12 "lights out" period for your fish. Using an automatic timer makes turning the lights on/off for specific lengths of time easiest.

Make sure that you turn your tank lights on after it is "light" in your home. Fish need to adjust their eyes slowly to light as they are very light sensitive. Their pupils react much slower than ours so it's best to turn on tank lights only after it's "daylight" in your home. Turning off the lights doesn't really matter.

Answer 4

Yes you should turn the lights off,however you should plug the lights into a dimmer switch and turn the lights down gradually before turning them off and then reverse the process when you turn the lights on.
This simulates the rising and setting of the sun each day and it is easier on their eyes just as you do when you go from indoors to outdoors on a sunny day.
Some fish are active during the day and some are nocturnal (active at night when its dark).

Answer 5

Yes, turn them off at night. It causes stree if you leave the lights on all the time.

Fish do sleep at night. Make it dark for them.

Joe

Answer 6

yes. u definitly need to turn off the lights. they need sleep too just like us. only keep th light on for 8-12 hours. if you dont it will cause stress on the fish.