Good Idea to Put Tank in the Dark?

[SalviniCichlidFan]

My 75 gallon cichlid tank is currently in my basement where there is hardly any light throughout the day. Is this a smart way to keep cichlids? I feel like the darkness will deter aggression since the cichlids will be sleeping most of the time, and the visibility will be less so they can't do more aggression. Also, the darkness controls algae growth.

 

[esoxlucius]

I'm betting that almost everyone on this forum has lights on their tanks, and that the vast majority of those with lights have them on timers to replicate the natural cycle of day and night.

If you have aggression and algae problems when you have lights on i think there's other ways of solving those issues without being as drastic as to keep the tank in virtual darkness/low light.

 

[Deadeye]

Fish that don’t live in the dark all the time should not be kept in the dark. Run a light over the tank. Cichlids like being in the shade, but not pitch black.
Another thing to consider is how cold the basement gets in the winter - that could complicate things.