Is it OK to leave aquarium 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.
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How many hours a day should I leave my aquarium light 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.
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Can aquarium lights stay 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.
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Should I turn off the aquarium light 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.
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Can fish sleep with room light on?

They should be fine...a nightlight or two won't keep them up. I have my tank in the TV room and we will watch movies until 2am sometimes. The tank lights go off at 10pm and I can tell that the fish are sleeping.
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Should Aquarium Lights Always Be On? How Long? (All Doubts Solved!)



Do aquarium lights bother fish?

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 fish like it dark at night?

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.
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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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Do fishes sleep 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.
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Are fish attracted to light?

Any light under the water, no matter what the color, will attract fish. When lights are placed under the water, they reflect off particles in the water. These tiny little particles enhance a natural food source for bait.
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When should I turn my fish tank light off?

Keep your aquarium light on for the recommended 8 to 12 hours then turn off the light to mimic the natural day and night cycle. In case your fish gets restless when the lights go out, turn off the room overhead light an hour before your tank lights.
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What is the blue light for in a fish tank?

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.
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Do LED lights affect 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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Which Colour light is best for aquarium?

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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How do you tell if a fish is stressed?

Strange Swimming: When fish are stressed, they often develop odd swimming patterns. If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.
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Do fish get bored?

Just like any other pet, fish can become bored, too. And while they won't chew up your shoes, keeping them occupied will ensure they live a healthier life.
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Do fishes fart?

Most fish do use air to inflate and deflate their bladder to maintain buoyancy which is expelled either through their mouth or gills which can be mistaken for a fart.
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Do fish get thirsty?

The answer is still no; as they live in water they probably don't take it in as a conscious response to seek out and drink water. Thirst is usually defined as a need or desire to drink water. It is unlikely that fish are responding to such a driving force.
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How high should my aquarium lights be?

Do your best to completely darken the room where the aquarium is located, except for the aquarium lighting. Raise the light well above the aquarium, perhaps as much as 24 inches. Pay attention to the “edge” of the light on the floor. It should be fairly obvious with most lights, due to reflector or optic performance.
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Do blue aquarium lights cause algae?

A dim blue "moon" light for an hour or two of an evening is not going to make any difference to any sort of plant (or algae) growth. These options are really only there for you to play with and enjoy (some might say gimmickry). They will make very little difference to the tank life.
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How much light does a fish tank 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.
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Can fish in an aquarium see you?

Studies have found that fish see objects placed outside their tank. But can they recognize their owners? Anecdotal evidence, and one study done on archerfish, suggests they can, Balcombe notes.
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How often do you need to clean a fish tank?

If you have a large, well established tank you should clean your tank on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. A water change should be done to the keep the tank clean and the fish happy. Depending on the type of filter you use for the tank, you may be able to get away with cleaning the tank once per month.
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Can fish see humans?

Summary: A species of tropical fish has been shown to be able to distinguish between human faces. It is the first time fish have demonstrated this ability. A species of tropical fish has been shown to be able to distinguish between human faces.
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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.
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