black lights

[kmc150]

can you put a black light on a fish tank

 

[knifegill]

No, it blinds the fish and can damage them causing cancer.

 

[kmc150]

what kind of bulb can i use to bring the color out on my cichlids

 

[FishingOut]

I wouldn't recommend using any UV light as your primary lighting system. Long exposure to a short-wave uv frequency like that a fish is certainly going blind.

If you want a bulb that will really make the entire tank glow is an actinic bulb. They are safe for all fish and inverts. Actinic bulbs give off a blue hue and are mostly used for marine setups but do fine in freshwater. Alot of African cichlid keepers used these.

 

[Zfishies]

I wouldn't recommend using any UV light as your primary lighting system. Long exposure to a short-wave uv frequency like that a fish is certainly going blind.

so should get mine off asap? there angel fish in my 20gal but there not blind though

 

[FishingOut]

Blacklights marked as UV-A are generally safe. High-intensity black lights and those of shorter wavelength aren't safe for you or your fish! Regardless of whether or not the light is 'safe', the effects of prolonged exposure to UV light have the potential to be bad.
Dont quote me on this one, but ive heard over-exposure to uv causes internal bleeding in fish. Fish could actually bleed out from the lights. Again, I would not recommend this type of lighting.

 

[DaxD]

Not Recommended. Good luck.