How Much Light Do Tropical Fish Need in the USA

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.

How much light does a tropical fish tank need?

Generally, around 8-10 hours of light per day is recommended for freshwater planted tanks, and a 10-12 hour photoperiod for reef set-ups. Colour temperature is a term that is often encountered when choosing lighting for specific aquariums.

Do tropical fish need a light on all the time?

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.





Do I need a light for my tropical fish tank?

Yes, aquarium fish need light to determine whether it’s day or night. However, the natural light in your room is sufficient. Fish do not necessarily need an extra aquarium light. An aquarium light is to see your fish, and for live aquatic plant photosynthesis.

Is it OK to keep fish in the dark?

Like human beings, most fish require both periods of light and darkness because they need to rest and regain their energy after a whole day of swimming, searching for food and mates. Aquarium fish can rest at anytime, not only at night when it’s dark.

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?

Heaters. 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.

Are LED lights bad for fish?

How Lighting Affects Fish. Fish are not as reliant on light as plants. In general, aquarium owners can use incandescent, fluorescent, or LED lights for fish but should be aware of the heat issues that incandescent lights cause. LED lights produce virtually no heat and come in many colors.

How often should I change water in fish tank?

You should do a 25% water change every two to four weeks. There is no reason to remove the fish during the water change. Make sure you stir the gravel or use a gravel cleaner during the water change. When adding water back in to the aquarium, use Tetra AquaSafe® to remove the chlorine and chloramine.

Should I turn off the bubbles in my fish tank at night?

So, if you have a really large fish tank and not too many inhabitants, sure, it is probably fine to turn the pump off at night. However, if you have a lot of fish in a relatively small space, there might not be enough oxygen present to last the night, so in this case you should leave the air pump on.

Are blue LED lights bad for fish?

Some studies have found that blue light causes more stress to fish retinas. Researchers have also found that even low-intensity blue light can cause cell death in goldfish retinas. However, these cases are rare, and there is little evidence to suggest that blue lighting is harmful to your fish.

Do Tetras need a heater?

They are tropical fish, and therefore need to be kept in heated aquariums. While your aquarium may get to the desired temperature range for most of the day, most is not enough for our neon friends. An aquarium heater is a necessary investment, and your Neon Tetra will thank you for it.

What fish can live without a heater?

10 Best Coldwater Fish That Don’t Need a Heater Sunset Variatus Platy. Celestial Pearl Danio. Rainbow Shiner. Hillstream Loach. Endler’s Livebearer. Clown Killifish. Cherry Shrimp. Dojo Loach.

How long should my aquarium light be on?

How long should I keep my aquarium lights on? To provide animals and plants the lighting they need, 10 to 12 hours a day is sufficient. Installing a timer or purchasing a unit with integrated timing can make lighting easier––just set it and forget it. Keep in mind algae loves light as well.

What do fish do at night?

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.

How many hours of light do fish need?

In general, most aquariums require eight to 12 hours of light each day (10 hours is a good starting point), provided by aquarium lights.

What color light is best for fish?

Tropical, or Colour-Lite bulbs, are designed for fish viewing. These accent red and blue hues, and are ideal for making your fish stand out better. They will give a much brighter visual, and mean that you see your fish more clearly and get the best out of them.

How long can my tropical fish go without food?

This depends on what kind of fish you have. Most cold water fish will be fine for one week without food, however tropical fish usually need to be fed more often. There are a few options for keeping your fish fed while you’re on holiday.

Do LED aquarium lights cause algae?

Contrary to what you may have been told, LED lights do not cause algae growth any more than other aquarium lighting options. This also discourages algae growth more than anything else—because it’s not the kind of light that causes algae growth, but the intensity of it.

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