![]() I’m not really looking for advise on my tank per se` (I know what a disaster it is ATM,) just a healthy debate on lighting. Here’s a bit of background on "MY" tank and why I would like to have a discussion on this. If this is the case, wouldn’t it be a moot point since there is more being flushed out from the filter from what’s inside my canister filter? I’ve also seen arguments for the opposite, saying this is helpful. I’ve seen people claim this is killing off the good bacteria on my fish and above the filter. Now if I’m reading the above quote correctly, the blacklight is acting like the UV light inside my filter (which is not on). Chlorophyll in plants is strongly absorbent of longer wavelength UVA radiation." "Black lights emit ultraviolet radiation in the UVA (320 to 400 nanometer wavelength) and in the UVB (290 to 320 nanometer) region. *Blacklights are not common in aquariums so here are a few basics. *Blue light makes glow items pop, some tanks have it, most don’t. Some species will like to “sleep in” and hide out in their caves for awhile until their eyes adjust.What are your thoughts on these various lights in aquariums, but mostly the blacklight? Fish will sleep and having a slow increase in light is better than a sudden switch. Keep in mind that not all fish will like the same light and dark periods. You may need to adjust seasonally as most areas of the world will vary in their light and dark cycles throughout the year.įor 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. A simple electronics timer or smart plug will also allow you to set your tank up once and be done for the season. Some of these will also have a “sunrise” and “sunset” feature. Natural and UV light can also trigger algae blooms, which are not necessarily a health issue, but an eyesore.įancier LED lights come with programming functions, allowing you to set up your tank lighting and have it go on and off without you. Super sunny days can heat up small volumes of water very quickly and hurt your fish if they are unable to compensate. Placing an indoor fish tank near a window to match your cycles is not always a great idea. If you are able to research where your corals are from, matching their wild light cycles will provide the best growth. This will not be the case for coral tanks that are very far from their natural habitat. How long should your lights stay on? The better you are able to match your outdoor light and dark cycles, the better. ![]() If you plan on having any corals in your tank, you will need to provide a UV-rich spectrum to promote proper growth of the cohabitating zooxanthellae. Many hoods have a clear plastic panel that can host a variety of different lights. If you have an aquarium with lights already built into the hood, you may be able to swap them out if desired. The fancy “night” lights with blue or purple lights may out GMO GloFish friends glow brightly and can have a blacklight-effect on some decor. They can come in a variety of spectrums and colors to best suit your fish needs. LED lights are now cheap and easy and the standard for most aquariums. Some older aquariums still have these giant bulbs, and I know I was singed by many in my past, but this is not the standard anymore. Gone are the days of bulking, burning halogen lights. Some fish are even able to see ultraviolet and polarized light, something humans are unable to see. Depending on a fish’s lifestyle, they may be better at seeing in low light, such as the bottom of a murky lake, or in bright light, like those fish living on sunny coral reefs. They possess the same rod and cone cells responsible for black/light and color vision. The biggest difference is rather than a compressed lens, fish lenses are spherical allowing them to focus better underwater. Fish Visionįish eyes are very similar in structure and function to human eyes. If you cannot keep up with the seasonal changes, the best lighting for fish tanks and ponds provide a standard period of light and dark. For the lowest stress environment, mimicking the natural outdoor cycle is best for your fish. ![]() For outdoor systems, this is easy to utilize for your fish, provided you do not blind them overnight with underwater lights. The best lighting for fish tanks utilize this same rhythm. What is the answer to “do fish need light?” Fish respond to the same circadian rhythms as most other life on earth. ![]()
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