How Much Light Do Tropical Fish Need?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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That said, assuming everything remains constant, you will need 10 hours of light daily for an average aquarium. However, tropical fish and plants, do better with

12 light hours a day

, while cold water fish and plants will thrive with just 8 light hours daily.

Do I need a light for my tropical fish tank?


Tropical fish tanks require heat, filtration and light

. Tropical fish tanks need a heater, filter, and light. All three play an important role, not only in the health of your fish but in your enjoyment of the tank.

Are fish OK in the dark?


It's best to not keep your aquarium fish in the dark all the time

. They need cycles of light to determine whether it's day and night. This also means that you can't keep your aquarium fish in the light all day.

Do tropical fish need light at night?


Aquarium fish do not need light

and it is best that you turn it off during the night. Leaving the light on can cause stress to fish as they need a period of darkness to sleep. Too much light will cause algae to rapidly grow and make your tank look dirty. So the short answer is no, do not leave your lights on.

Should I turn my aquarium light off at night?

The short answer is

No – you SHOULD NOT leave the aquarium light on overnight

. Fish require both light and darkness to survive. Like most other animals, fish need darkness to rest. The fact that they lack eyelids makes them require a sufficiently dark environment for them to get in any kind of sleep or rest.

Can I leave my aquarium light on 24 7?

Can I leave my aquarium light on 24/7?

You should never keep your aquarium lights on for 24/7

. There are are several reasons you should not do so but the most important is it will cause algae growth in your tank. And you can spend literally weeks if not months to clean out algae from your aquarium.

Do tropical fish need a heater?


If you are keeping tropical fish, you will need a heater

. A heater insures that a tank doesn't get too cool, and that the temperature stays steady during the course of the day, even when the room cools off (e.g., at night). For many tropical fish, a temperature of 78F is ideal. There are two main heater types.

Why do my fish go crazy when I turn the light off?

Drastic changes in light levels can startle pretty much everyone, including the fish.

Hiding is their defensive reflex triggered by switching from dark to light too suddenly

. If you leave the light on, the fish will come out eventually.

How long can tropical fish live without a heater?

Although not advised, tropical fish should survive in cold water for

1 or 2 days

providing the temperature is only around 10°F to 15°F below their suggested temperature.

Are LED lights good for fish?

By contrast, LED lights run much cooler than standard fluorescents and metal halides. They have many customizable lighting colors and intensities and

will do well with both fish-only and planted tanks as long as you select those with the right output

.

Do fish like blue light at night?


No, you should not keep a blue light or any other colored light on in your fish tank through the night

. Unless you have nocturnal fish, they depend on light cycles to maintain their sleep cycle. Leaving a light on at night will disturb this cycle and result in sleep-deprived and stressed fish.

Which Colour light is best for aquarium?


Daylight Neutral

5,500k To 8,000k

Diodes in this range are ideal for the typical freshwater aquarium and usually produce a warm or neutral-colored white light.

Can I leave the moonlights on all night?

Moonlights are meaningless to the fish – they are only for you.

If you intend to be up all night looking at the tank, then leave them on

.

Should aquarium filter always be on?

Filters, heater, lights, and air pumps need to stay on almost all the time to keep your fish alive. However, while you can and should turn off your lights and heaters, and even an air pump if you have one,

you have to keep filters on 24/7

.

Should I leave my aquarium light on while on vacation?

The fish also need to get “sleep” time and darkness is important (they don't have eyelids and can't close their eyes to sleep) –

constant bright light 24 hours a day is stressful for the fish

. Feeding the fish is always the biggest concern while being away on vacation.

How often should I feed my fish?

How Often Should I Feed My Fish? For the most part, feeding your fish

once or twice a day

is sufficient. Some hobbyists even fast their fish one or two days a week to allow them to clear their digestive systems. Larger, more sedentary fish can go longer between meals than smaller, more active fish.

Can I cover my fish tank with a towel at night?

Please note that

blankets and towels are not to be used above the tank as a lid

. Instead, use them on the side as insulation. This will keep your water temperature high enough for your fish; the trick also comes in handy during a power outage.

Do fish need full dark sleep?


Fish don't necessarily need complete darkness to sleep

, but it's best to provide them with the amount of darkness they would have in their natural environment. They may sleep when tired if the lights are on, but it will be better for their sleep and overall health if they can rest in darkness.

Do fish like the blue light?

Blue light is frequently used in aquariums to mark the days and nights out for the fish or for fishkeepers to get a clear view of their tank.

Blue light is harmful to fish if it is incorrectly used

. However, most fishkeepers use blue lighting in their tanks with no ill effects.

What's the blue light for in a fish tank?

What Does Blue Light Do in an Aquarium? These blue lights have been popular through the years by most aquarium owners. They are commonly called moonlight, but actually, the primary purpose of this light is

to let you see your nocturnal fish at night

.

Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep,

most fish do rest

. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.

Do I need air pump for aquarium?

While

air pumps are not always necessary

, there are very few circumstances where they would not be beneficial to a tank. Some species of fish, such as bettas, prefer still water, and the presence of an air pump can agitate them. In most cases, however, air pumps benefit fish by allowing them more oxygen to breathe.

Does an aquarium need a bubbler?


Whether you need an aquarium bubbler entirely depends on your setup

. Many people use bubblers when creating a DIY equipment such as sponge filters – the bubbler is used to “drive” the filter, causing it to draw in water. If your water is not circulating or low on oxygen, then a bubbler could be just what you need!

Do you need a lid on a fish tank?

Lids reduce evaporation by sealing over the top of the aquarium.

Without a lid, you have to top off the water much more frequently

, and the evaporation contributes to humidity in the room's air.

What are fish afraid of?

Fish are scared of

their own reflection

and try to fight themselves when they look at a mirror, a new study has revealed. They become even more frightened when they see their reflection making the same moves as them and appearing to fight back, found researchers.

Can a light be too bright for fish?

Again, depending on the kind of fish you have, you'll want to think about color temperature. But in general,

the lighting shouldn't be too bright for a regular tank since it could stress the fish

. Too-bright lighting can also lead to algae growth.

Do fishes get scared in the dark?

Fish don't like the dark because when there is no light to see, they dart around the tank, colliding with the walls, ornaments and can even become tangled in the plants. Fish need light to determine whether it is night or day, and

they're scared of the sudden switch from darkness to light

.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.