Bettas and light

[GrullaQuarters]

I love my little cubbyhole in the basement. I have a finished office down there, it's a partially exposed basement, but this is tucked in the unexposed corner...no window. I've always wished our fish tank was down there (but then only I would be able to enjoy it!) but I am going betta tank shopping tomorrow or Saturday, and was wondering. Do bettas need natural light? Is it 'inhumane,' in a fishy sort of way, to have one in my basement office where there is no natural light? I spend a good amount of time down there throughout the day.....

But before I bought the tank, I want to decide which place I'm going to put it...and my top pic is the office!

Thanks for any insight.

 

[SRC]

That's why they have hood's with atrificial light sources....natural light is the #1 cause of Algea. I think your fish would be quite happy down there...no different then being in a office or a restuarant or a pet store.

 

[FishyLoveBug]

Hmmm should you leave your light on 24-7? I currently turn mine off for a few hours every night.

 

[SRC]

It should be off for atleast 10 hours..they need rest time just like we do.

 

[nashnutny]

I have plenty of natural light coming in so that I don't turn the light on until it starts getting dark. On rainy days I do turn the lights on in the morning. I do have a minor algae problem with the tanks nearest the window but since they get 100% water changes every few days, I just clean it off.

 

[FishyLoveBug]

Oh thank you very much I was only leaving it off while I was asleep, usually 7 hours.

 

[BettaMomma]

My tanks at work are away from the windows - i'm stuck in a cubicle in the middle of the office. And only turn the light on for Jasper for a few hours during the day, just because it's so hot in his tank to begin with - I don't wanna make him any warmer.

My other guys are pretty much away from natural light except for a tad bit of it that comes thru the blinds during the day.

I think you'd do just fine with one (or two or six!!!) tanks in your office.

 

[rdd1952]

If you have any live plants, it's best to put the lights on a timer so they get the same amount of light every day. Mine are on for 4 hrs every morning and 5 hours in the evening with a 7 hr break during the day when we're not there.

 

[GrullaQuarters]

Thank you so much guys! I never thought of that...of course they don't see the light of day in pet stores!