Lighting: How It Affects Freshwater Fish

BarbH

Byron thanks for another great article

CinBos

How could you incorporate the dimmer switch to mimic the sun rise and sun set without manually do so?

Hallyx

You can't use a dimmer with florescents.

You can, however, get timed dimmers.

Chesherca

Glad you posted this - and that I found it! I've been wondering how fish's eyes work - thanks!

Pearl2011

Those neon are so . . . bright! They look almost purple when near the surface! So awesome!
Byron, In my ten gallon with female bettas when I turn the light they never look stressed, ever. They dont get frantic or anything, just beg for food they do whenever somebody looks at the tank. Is this normal?

Byron

If there is sufficient ambient light in the room when the tank light comes on or goes off, fish shouldn't be bothered.

Olympia

I think it depends on the fish too. My betta never stress, but my cories will go nuts if I turn on the light in a dark room.

Chesherca

Yes, and tetra really don't like the lights suddenly being switched on, either. I actually try very hard to make the lights in my home kind of turn on and off gently for all of my tanks. . . First I open a window shade, then turn on the overhead lights, before finally turning on the tank lights. Same in reverse at night, only the window-shade is replaced by a dim lamp, or a light in the next room (depending on which tank it is). I don't know if this helps them or not, but I TRY!!!

Pearl2011

When I turn it on or off I usually have a light so I can read in the morning, soit is not pitch black

Brandonl87

Hey Bryon, I just came across this articale and found it very interesting since i just moved my African Cichlids to a new tank thus a new light also. Which im using a home depot light fixture and just regular flourcent tubes. wht would you recommend for light on a 125g tank? Where i can dupilcate sunset sunrise?