hey, all. I acquired another flourescent hood about 2 weeks ago, and I thought nothing of it until I read that UV rays can blind your fish. is this true? how do I know the lightbulb make UV rays? I know the bulb is not one that's really meant for aquariums. it glows a pale blue.
does my lightublb make UV?
- Thread starter fishcatch22
- Start date
Howdy,
you should not worry. A fraction of the light spectrum emitted by fluorescent bulbs extends into the UV. However, that is negligible for human or fish health. (Otherwise you'd get sunburn from it). It can, however, cause some undesired algae growth. A German quality brand for aquarium stuff actually shrink-wraps its plant lights into UV filtering foil. But again, that's because of algae only.
HarleyK
you should not worry. A fraction of the light spectrum emitted by fluorescent bulbs extends into the UV. However, that is negligible for human or fish health. (Otherwise you'd get sunburn from it). It can, however, cause some undesired algae growth. A German quality brand for aquarium stuff actually shrink-wraps its plant lights into UV filtering foil. But again, that's because of algae only.
HarleyK
On a side note, UV in small doses can actually be beneficial to your fish in that it makes them color up. They produce pigments like us (to a lesser extent) to protect themselves from the sun.
This is why goldfish look best and brightest if they are in a pond.
Brandon
This is why goldfish look best and brightest if they are in a pond.
Brandon
yeah, so I guess UV doesn't blind fish? I know UV is usually good in small quantities, I just wanted to make sure that wasn't true.
well i would imagine getting a UV light (like a reptile lamp) would harm the fish, probably make them blind or something
If something isn't safe to humans, it probably isn't much better for fish
If something isn't safe to humans, it probably isn't much better for fish
there is a content of UV rays in all lights many tanks can not survive with out certain UV rays many different levels