How many hours of darkness do fish need?

Most tropical aquariums require at least 12 hours of darkness every day, whereas cold-water aquariums require more, meaning you should only illuminate fish tanks for 8–12 hours each day. Fish living in aquariums require 12-16 hours of darkness every day.
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How long do fish need darkness?

You should also provide your fish with plenty of covered areas within the aquarium to have places to go to and feel safe while they are resting. The general recommendation is that you leave the lights in your aquarium on for 12 hours at most and then switch them off the rest of the time.
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Do fish need total darkness at night?

Do fish need complete darkness to sleep? Fish live in a watery environment, which means that they don't need light to sleep. However, one study found that fish living in an aquarium lit at night with the frequency and intensity of moonlight did exhibit a significant decrease in activity and movement.
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How many hours do fish need light?

In general, most aquariums require eight to 12 hours of light each day (10 hours is a good starting point), provided by aquarium lights.
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Can I turn my fish tank light off 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.
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Do Aquarium Fish Need Light At Night (Probably Not What You Think)



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.
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Are LED lights good for 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.
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Do pet fish need darkness?

All fish need periods of darkness, and turning the lights off at night will help you mimic your pet's natural environment.
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Can fish sleep with light on?

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.
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Can fish live in dark?

Fish can live in the dark completely however they will potentially have no source of food at most Algae cannot reproduce without sunlight.
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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. Besides, just as we do fish also require darkness to sleep.
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Can I cover my fish tank with a towel at night?

During winter, you should insulate your tank and all filtration by wrapping them in blankets, towels or cardboard. 1 Don't forget to cover the top of your tank, but make sure you do not cut off the oxygen supply. Resist the urge to frequently check your fish.
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Should I turn my fish tank filter off at night?

So you shouldn't turn off the aquarium filter at night.

An aquarium filter removes dirt, debris, and grime like uneaten food, dead plants and waste from the aquarium water. Besides that, your aquarium filter plays a huge role in helping bacteria to convert toxic chemicals into chemicals that are safe for the fish.
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What color light is best for fish?

Red, blue and green LEDs are in popular use for standard aquarium lighting since these light temperatures greatly enhance the colors of the objects inside the aquarium. The colors of aquatic plants appear much more rich and vibrant, red fish, shrimp and of course red-leaved stem plants look much flashier.
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Do fish like light in their tank?

While fish do need light, which can be sunlight, fish in your aquarium do not need direct sunlight. Placing your aquarium in direct sunlight is something you want to avoid for good reasons. Direct sunlight is so strong and contains a lot of energy, which will be harnessed by algae to grow like crazy.
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What is the blue aquarium light for?

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.
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How bright should my fish tank be?

If you have chosen nothing but "Easy" plants, 10-20 lumen (0.25 to 0.5 watts) per litre is adequate. For "Medium" plants, we recommend 20-40 lumen (0.5 to 1 watts) per litre, while "Advanced" plants require more than 40 lumens (1 watt) per litre.
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Is white light good for fish?

White lights work best for blue-colored fish. They're also the commonly chosen color of lights and are available for all sorts of lighting options, as we will discuss below. However, some fish owners will say that white lights don't work as effectively in keeping your plants healthy.
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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.
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Do colored lights affect fish?

Picking the right color spectrum has the ability to showcase and intensify the best hues in both your fish and your plants. A fish-only freshwater tank doesn't require lighting for many purposes besides illuminating the tank, and essentially any color spectrum can be used safely without harming your fish.
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How do I make my fish tank water crystal clear?

Table of Contents
  1. Regular Maintenance.
  2. Correct Filtration.
  3. Eradicate Algae From Your Aquarium.
  4. Reduce Nitrates and Phosphates.
  5. Use a Water Treatment or Clarifier.
  6. Reduce Waste in your Tank.
  7. Maintaining Crystal Clear Water.
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Can fish hear filters?

The goldfish's hearing was masked by all filter noise types and most affected at 0.1 and 0.3kHz by the external filter noise (threshold shifts of 15–19dB). Pond noise had no effect on the hearing threshold.
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Does a fish tank filter need to be on 24 7?

It is not a good idea to turn off your aquarium filter every night. The filter plays a key role in the health of your tank, and shutting it down for hours at a time can eventually lead to problems.
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Does a fish tank need air holes?

Contrary to popular belief, an aquarium lid does not need additional air holes. As long as the cords and airlines have suitable holes to fit through, a tight-fitting and well-sealed lid is most beneficial.
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How can I keep my fish tank warm without power?

Without electricity, it can be difficult to heat or cool an aquarium, so the important thing is to try to slow down any changes in temperature. If you're trying to keep the aquarium warm, keep the lid closed and wrap the tank with towels or sheets of styrofoam to prevent heat loss.
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