setting up a 29 gallon and had a question about lighting

MongMong · 10-07-2007, 07:30 AM

Hello, everyone... Right now I am getting my money saved up to get a 29 gallon tank. I am not planning to do plants, instead just use the plastic ones (not ready to take the jump into raising plants yet) so I was wondering if I need to buy an overhead light. The aquarium will be the living room which is always lit in the evenings. I plan on putting in schooling fish, probably tetras, platies, and mollies. Can I go without the light? Or do the fish need a direct light source?

sarcare · 10-07-2007, 07:53 AM

You don't need a light, but it is easier to see the fish if there is a light. Also indirect light, while not harmful to the fish, will cause them to orient towards the light source. This is a very interesting visual site. At night, when the tv is on, but the tank lights are off, the fish in my tanks will lean towards the tv, like they are watching it.

joephys · 10-07-2007, 09:13 AM

Agreed. You don't have to have one but it helps. For a long time I couldn't figure out why in the mornings before the aquarium light went on, why my fish were all swimming around at an angle, and it was because that reason, they were aligning themselves to the light in the room. Even in a bright room the aquarium won't be well lit, so I would still get atleast a small cheap light just to see the fish better.

MongMong · 10-07-2007, 10:48 AM

thanks a lot

Emg · 10-07-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joephys

For a long time I couldn't figure out why in the mornings before the aquarium light went on, why my fish were all swimming around at an angle, and it was because that reason, they were aligning themselves to the light in the room.

So THATS what that is........

DirtyDawg10 · 10-07-2007, 08:06 PM

I didn't realize that...I'll have to check it out in my tank tonight when the lights go out.

10-07-2007, 07:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
MongMong Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Daegu, South Korea Posts: 11	setting up a 29 gallon and had a question about lighting Hello, everyone... Right now I am getting my money saved up to get a 29 gallon tank. I am not planning to do plants, instead just use the plastic ones (not ready to take the jump into raising plants yet) so I was wondering if I need to buy an overhead light. The aquarium will be the living room which is always lit in the evenings. I plan on putting in schooling fish, probably tetras, platies, and mollies. Can I go without the light? Or do the fish need a direct light source?

10-07-2007, 07:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
sarcare Lost and Confused Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,910	You don't need a light, but it is easier to see the fish if there is a light. Also indirect light, while not harmful to the fish, will cause them to orient towards the light source. This is a very interesting visual site. At night, when the tv is on, but the tank lights are off, the fish in my tanks will lean towards the tv, like they are watching it. __________________ Reality--go 'way!

10-07-2007, 08:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
DirtyDawg10 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,391	I didn't realize that...I'll have to check it out in my tank tonight when the lights go out. __________________ Derek Self-Proclaimed FUTURE Fish Master IN TRAINING

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10-07-2007, 09:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
joephys Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: auburn, wa Posts: 4,393	Agreed. You don't have to have one but it helps. For a long time I couldn't figure out why in the mornings before the aquarium light went on, why my fish were all swimming around at an angle, and it was because that reason, they were aligning themselves to the light in the room. Even in a bright room the aquarium won't be well lit, so I would still get atleast a small cheap light just to see the fish better.

10-07-2007, 10:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
MongMong Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Daegu, South Korea Posts: 11	thanks a lot

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