Darkness

[chad07]

Hi Everyone,

Probably another stupid question.....

How much light a day is recommended for my fish?? I like to have the light on over night if possible with them getting darkness whilst im at work as the curtains stay shut.

As the curtains emit quite alot of light is it ok to put a towel over the tank so it is completely dark???

I think this sounds like a stupid question but i like to be sure about these things!!

Cheers in advance

Chad

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Hiya Chad

first thing to make clear is that the fish do not need any light, in fact many species will be more calm and happy in the dark, aquarium lights are there for you to view the tank and for growing plants.

so if you've no live plants you can just have the tank lights on when you're at home and want to see the tank, keeping them off the rest of the time will cause no problems.

if you've live plants an average lightings schedule of 8-10hrs a day is recomended but there's about a zillion varients so I won't go into that all now.

if you want to put a towel over the tank then feel free it won't do any harm, however unless your getting algae issues then there's no real reason to

 

[rdd1952]

You should turn the lights off at night. They need dark time too but. You could cover the tank during the day but giving them some natural light would be better. And too much light can lead to a major algae problem.

 

[celaeno]

Hiya Chad

first thing to make clear is that the fish do not need any light, in fact many species will be more calm and happy in the dark, aquarium lights are there for you to view the tank and for growing plants.

i read somewhere that fish need light because it gives them vitamin d or something?

 

[Delaneia]

I'm wondering this as well. I have 2 RBP's and they love it when it's dark

 

[rdd1952]

They do need light but not constant light. Fish in the wild only get light during the day and not a lot then as they are deep enough under water that not a lot comes through, under cover, etc.

 

[chad07]

Thanks for the answers guys, they have helped alot.

I think what ill do is have the tank light on when i get back from work until i go to bed which wil gove them about 8 hours... Then in the day when im at work ill put a cover over them so they get pure darkness.

Thanks again

Chad

 

[vinylman]

It doesn't need to be completely dark, just leave the lights off.

 

[Gatorbait]

Watch your temperature when you are putting covers on your aquarium, especially if it's already warm out.