Lighting.

[PWW]

Ok, so we have set up the new tank and now things are clearing nicely during the cycle.
But WHEN we eventually add fish of our choice in our new tropical tank, how long would you say to have the tank lights on for, all day, or a few hours a day or just in the evening ???

I honestly do not know, the way I am thinking and please correct me if I am wrong, but fish do not have light all the time in the wild do they, when they are in the water and at the bottom of the water, it must be "darkish" down there, so why have glaring light all the time in a tank ?

Look forward to hearing your answers on this one.

Peter.

 

[fluttermoth]

You're quite right; fish do not need hours and hours of light; in fact if there's no plants in the tank you don't need lights at all; the fish are fine in just the ambient light from the room, and too many hours of light encourages algae.

So, if you have no live plants, just switch the light on when you want to look at the fish (but don't go straight from a dark room to lights on; have the room lights on for 10 minutes or so before turning the tank light on so as not to shock the fish).

If you do have live plants, then somewhere around six hours, timed for when you're there is enough; for instance in my bedroom tank I don't put the light on til 5 or 6 PM, as it's only in the evening and last thing at night that I'm there wanting to watch them; putting them on from 2 til 8 like my other tanks would be a total waste, as I'd have to switch the lights out by the time I go to bed.

 

[Aquamaniac]

You're quite right; fish do not need hours and hours of light; in fact if there's no plants in the tank you don't need lights at all; the fish are fine in just the ambient light from the room, and too many hours of light encourages algae.

So, if you have no live plants, just switch the light on when you want to look at the fish (but don't go straight from a dark room to lights on; have the room lights on for 10 minutes or so before turning the tank light on so as not to shock the fish).

If you do have live plants, then somewhere around six hours, timed for when you're there is enough; for instance in my bedroom tank I don't put the light on til 5 or 6 PM, as it's only in the evening and last thing at night that I'm there wanting to watch them; putting them on from 2 til 8 like my other tanks would be a total waste, as I'd have to switch the lights out by the time I go to bed.

u

Couldn't have said it better myself.
Bare in mind that if you are planning to have any plants than its a complete different game. With plants light is of the utmost importance. If you have plants just ask when we'll help you. If not keep to what was explained above.

 

[PWW]

Good Morning all,
Thank you for the replies.
My tank is doing very well now, looking forward to its new tenants, I have been and had a look at the fish at the place I am getting them from and they are looking very well, also their tanks are not overstocked, and very clean.

I do beleive my good lady has put in 1 live plant or maybe 2, but definately no more.

Peter.