Does My New Aquarium Need A Light?

[Canadian Fish]

I got a good deal in the local classifieds. This 30 gallon tank, with an Aquaclear 70 filter, a heater, thermometer, some cheesy decorations and the stand for $60 Canadian. Woo hoo, not a bad deal.

Prob is, there is no light. (There is a hood) LFS wants $55 for a 30" strip light which means I will literally double my expenditure.

I posted some local want ads looking for such a light, but in the meantime, do I need the light?

I will not be growing plants. I don't want my fish to be miserable, but there is light in the room all day. I wouldn't keep them in the dark.

My wife is getting more interested in fish. (Awesome!) She wanted a school of bleeding heart tetras in our 20 or 55 gallon tanks, and she wanted a small 5 gallon table top bowl for the kitchen.

Well, I talked her into getting this 30 gallon for the kitchen. Now she can keep her bleeding heart tetras in there, and I can keep my 55 gallon for Rainbowfish.

We had a dining room table, but our son took the dining room for a playroom. So we put the table in our kitchen (we always eat in front of the TV anyway, we're those people). Now, to accommodate more fish, our table is stored in the basement, and the bar has come up from the basement, into the kitchen, to create a white trash breakfast nook.

Nice tank though.

Shame there's no light.

 

[fluttermoth]

If you're not having live plants, you don't need a light.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

There are some exceptions, but many fish prefer subdued lighting, going on the top photo there is more than enough natural light coming in.

 

[fluttermoth]

Can I just ask what that lovely pot plant is? I want one!

 

[OldMan47]

There is no need for a tank light if the fish have enough light to find their food and you don't mind not being able to see them well when there is no sunlight available to light their tank. I have tanks with lights, in most cases, because I maintain live plants, but I do have a small number with no outside lighting. One of my goodeid tanks even runs with only the ambient room light, much like you are doing. It has been set up that way for about a year now with no adverse effects. The fish don't know any other way because they have always been in that situation.

 

[Man of fish]

You could buy a hang on led fixture instead

 

[FishFanatic04]

I like you better after finding out about your white trash breakfast nook We have our table crammed in our kitchen by the tv too, so I can keep fish and sewing tables in the dining room

Nothing like a nice peaceful dinner and good old..."Mickey Mouse Club"

No need for a light. I think my fish seem a little stressed everytime the light goes on or off. Seems liek it would be peaceful without one, as long as you don't care to have plants.

 

[Canadian Fish]

Can I just ask what that lovely pot plant is? I want one!

It's a lily. My wife has had it for 10 years, it's from a clipping of a plant that is 29 years old. It was planted for my wife's grandfather when she was born. Her clone has only bloomed once, when she was pregnant with our son. It never bloomed before and hasn't bloomed since.

 

[Canadian Fish]

Someone responded to my want ad on kijiji and I picked up the light strip today for $15 CAD, bulb included. Woo hoo!

 

[Tonyb111111]

Can I just ask what that lovely pot plant is? I want one!

It's a lily. My wife has had it for 10 years, it's from a clipping of a plant that is 29 years old. It was planted for my wife's grandfather when she was born. Her clone has only bloomed once, when she was pregnant with our son. It never bloomed before and hasn't bloomed since.

Agreed, it's called a Peace Lily and should flower annually with big with leaf like flowers. Mines still going strong after 16 years and i am not too good with house plants