Lights On Or Off?

[LauraFrog]

So here is my situation.

On Friday morning, I either turn my tank lights on or not.

On Friday night, I'm staying away. On Saturday and Saturday night, I'm staying away, and on Sunday I'll get home mid afternoon.

My tanks are planted, planting includes vallisneria, ambulia, anubias and hydrilla. The last time I left my tank lights off for this long (2 and a half days) I lost all the plants. There is nobody going to be at home and I don't have any neighbours that I can ask to turn the lights on and off. I don't have timers either. Should I turn the lights on or leave them off? I'm scared of stressing my fish - bettas, platies and a baby bristlenose. The other fish are in tanks outside.

 

[beany_bot]

hmm tricky one - im suprised you lost all your palnts in two days!! i would leave them off and maybe have a lamp next to the tank to give "some" light to the plants but not too much the fish cant sleep. Or better still hurry down to a hardware store and buy a timer!!

 

[Lnbates2000]

I agree - go and buy a timer - they're cheap and saves you forgetting to turn lights on and off! Plus would be ideal for when you're away.

Laura

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

2 and a half days of no aquarium light wouldn't make a difference there must have been some other reason surely?
anyway, i'd turn the lights off, personally, for the fishes perspective. they probably prefer the lights being off as they can (usually) see perfectly when a little bit of natural light comes through the window (depending where your tank is).

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I would leave the lights off, been left on for such a long time they would create a huge amount of heat and could end up over-heating the aquarium, plus the constant light would be stressful for the fish.

 

[LauraFrog]

k, thanks

Timers aren't an option because these are cheapie betta tanks and a cheapie small hospital tanks - the lights and filters run on the same cord so if I use a timer, the filter is only on half the time. I'll lose the cycle.

I think I'll leave the lights off. they don't run hot but I don't wanna stress out my fish.

 

[beany_bot]

Good choice, Fish have excellent eyesight and can see well in near total darkness anyway.if its pitch black (like in a basement) then leave room light on. maybe put a piece of newspaper or cardboard over half the front of the tank so they can choose between the dark and light?

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

Good choice, Fish have excellent eyesight and can see well in near total darkness anyway.if its pitch black (like in a basement) then leave room light on. maybe put a piece of newspaper or cardboard over half the front of the tank so they can choose between the dark and light?

dya reckon doing that, you'd be able to make fish go where you want them? sorta like, i want you to make home on the right hand side of the tank so i'll put a peice of paper over the front of the tank so it's darker which is what you prefer?