Generally, around 8-10 hours of light per day is recommended for freshwater planted tanks, and a 10-12 hour light/dark cycle is ideal for saltwater tanks. If you want to keep your tank dark all the time, you will need to use a fluorescent light. Fluorescent lights are much more efficient than incandescent or halogen lights, but they are not as bright as fluorescent lights.
They are also more expensive, so if you are looking to save money, it is a good idea to invest in a high-efficiency fluorescents instead of a cheap fluorescent. If you don’t have a lot of room in your aquarium to grow plants, then you should consider using aquarium plants instead. Aquarium plants are a great way to add a little bit of color to an otherwise dark tank.
You can also use them as a way of adding some light to a tank that would otherwise be completely dark. For example, if your water is very dark and you only have room for one or two fish, a few plants can give you a nice change of scenery.
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Do fish like natural light?
Fish need about 8-12 hours of light a day. Natural sunlight is best, but direct sunlight will cause the water to overheat and the algae to grow too quickly. It can cause your fish to get sunburned. Planted tanks need more sunlight as they use it as a source of energy.
The amount of sunlight you need depends on the type of fish you are keeping, the size of the tank, and how much algae you have in your tank. For example, if you only have one or two fish, you will need less light than a tank with more than 10 fish.
Fluorescent lights are much more efficient than regular incandescent lights, which use more energy to produce the same light output. However, fluorescent lights can be very expensive, so you may want to consider using an LED light instead. LED lights use less energy and produce a much brighter light that is easier to see in the dark.
They are also much less likely to burn out, making them a good choice for aquariums with lots of water movement.
Do aquarium fish need artificial light?
For most indoor tanks, ones that do not contain corals, a light period of 12-16 hours and dark period of 12-8 hours is a good place to start. Not all fish like the same light periods, so you may need to adjust your tank to your liking. If you have a tank with a lot of fish, it may be best to keep the tank dark for the first few weeks.
This will give the fish a chance to acclimate to the dark, and will also allow you to get a better idea of how much light you need. If you are not sure about the amount of light that is needed, you can use a flashlight to check the light levels in your aquarium. You can also use an aquarium light meter to determine the proper light level.
Do aquarium fish need darkness?
It’s best to provide fish with the amount of darkness they would have in their natural environment, because fish don’t necessarily need complete darkness to sleep. If they can get a good night’s sleep in the dark, it will be better for their sleep and overall health.
Do LED lights bother fish?
Compared to standard fluorescents and metal halides, LED lights are much cooler. As long as you choose the lights that are compatible with your fish, they will do well with both fish-only and planted tanks. LED lights are also much more energy efficient than fluorescent lights.
Fluorescent lights use a lot of energy to produce light, which is why they are more expensive than LEDs. LEDs are much less energy-intensive than traditional fluorescent bulbs, so they can be used in a wide range of aquariums, from small tanks to large aquaria.
Do fish prefer light or dark?
The fish are scared of the sudden switch from day to night because they need light to determine whether it is night or day. The best way to keep your fish safe from predators is to provide them with plenty of food and water.
Can you put a fish tank by a window?
Don’t place your aquarium near a sunny window or in a drafty location. You shouldn’t buy fish the same day you buy the aquarium. Before you bring your first fish home, set the tank up and let it run for a few days.
