So I have had my 3 rbps for about a month now and have noticed that they freak out and swim to the corner of my 55 gallon, when I turn on the light and stand there, but if I have it off they peacefully swim around, even while I'm there. So I was thinking should I try dimming my lights? Also, if so, how?
A solution to my skittish rbps?
- Thread starter stew_mag
- Start date
You can go a couple of different ways.
They're still young so you can just keep the light on but do it on a regular basis. The best thing would be to get them on a timer so they're on at regular intervals. Eventually they'll get use to it.
You can dim the lights with tin foil or electrical tape. Poke holes in the tin foil, wrap it like a candy cane with the electrical tape.
Other option is to add floating plants that create shadows instead of dimming the light.
Personally, i'd just turn them on regularly but i don't turn mine on at all (they get naturally sunlight) except when they're fighting. Gives me a way to scare them and then they'll shoal again.
They're still young so you can just keep the light on but do it on a regular basis. The best thing would be to get them on a timer so they're on at regular intervals. Eventually they'll get use to it.
You can dim the lights with tin foil or electrical tape. Poke holes in the tin foil, wrap it like a candy cane with the electrical tape.
Other option is to add floating plants that create shadows instead of dimming the light.
Personally, i'd just turn them on regularly but i don't turn mine on at all (they get naturally sunlight) except when they're fighting. Gives me a way to scare them and then they'll shoal again.
what ballin said but what i do is when i wake up 8-9am i turn the light on til i go to sleep 9-10pm and i added 2 pretty big power heads and now all they do is swim in n out of the current ...appose to watching them just sit there and stare at each other
Why even use a light?is your tank planted n gets no natural light? I don't use lights on any of my tanks, almost all are planted with swords, but they do get some natural light throughout the day(very very little direct sunlight).maybe you could try blackwater extract or add some driftwood for some dark spots.
Also try turning light on n move away from the tank instead of just standing there,give em few minutes to collect themselves n mellow out.the more time you calmly spend in from of their tank the calmer they'll be(which doesn't necessary mean standing right up next to the tank).I would skip a couple meals n make them show you they're hungry(willing to come to top of tank before you even drop any food in)n I'd drop the food in very slowly.you make them do this and they'll be used to you in no time n be way calmer fish.
I think I must be the only cruel jerk here that has massive amounts of light on a piranha tank. I had a 36 inch single bulb but it wasn't enough juice to keep my plants happy so I swapped up to two 48 inch bulbs. I keep it on a timer 8 am- 11 pm and they seem to be ok with it. I've been trying to grow out a water lilly for shade my mom gave me but it isn't too fond of getting replanted.