I am going out of town for 5 days and have someone coming once a day to feed my fish. I was wondering if it was a better idea to leave the lights off and let the little amount of natural light light the tanks or if I should just have them leave the lights on? Any advice?
How long should I keep on the lights
- Thread starter Bbg81018
- Start date
Get a timer for your lights. You should have one anyway. I run all my tanks a on timers and they come on and turn off every day same time.
Imo I would just leave them off; keeping them on 24/7 might induce an algae bloom, and might also stress the fish out. They'll be fine with just a bit of light during the day. Alternatively you could get a cheap timer and set how long you want to keep the lights on.
You should spend $5 on a timer. It's basic equipment and baffling that so many people don't have them.
Unless you have real plants, no need for light.
I would also not bother having someone feed, unless they are an experienced fish keeper.
Less food, less waste, less chance of a filter screw up, better water quality..
I have left fish without feeding for weeks, with no problems.
They only time I had fish die, is when I had some one feed, they over fed, and screwed up the system.
I would also not bother having someone feed, unless they are an experienced fish keeper.
Less food, less waste, less chance of a filter screw up, better water quality..
I have left fish without feeding for weeks, with no problems.
They only time I had fish die, is when I had some one feed, they over fed, and screwed up the system.
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Unless your fish are fries, just let them fast. No, they will not even come close to starving! I've let my fish fast for as long as 2 weeks, and have never seen any of them even looking lean.
Inexperienced fish keepers always worry about food when they plan on going away, but experienced fish keepers are significantly more concerned about equipment and power failure. This is what will most likely harm your fish, not starvation. A healthy fish can survive months and months without food.
In regards to light, as others have already suggested a cheap, simple timer, or just leave the lights off. Fact is, fish hates the bright lights we subject them to, in order to bring out their beauty for our own visual satisfaction.