amaux2

Hi there!

I'm curious - do fish like having a routine? Being fed at the same times each day, the light on and off at the same times?

I must admit, they get their breakfast later on weekends and the light goes on later then as well.

Also, is it a problem if the light stays off some days?

And one last question - one of the filters has been rattling louder than usual, it was driving us nuts, it must have been driving the fish crazy?

Thanks for any feedback!

eiginh

Not sure about the routine.

Check the impeller in your filter, there might be some debris on it causing the loud noise.

TedsTank

I think they have no routine in the wild, they are opportunistic except for breeding. It is more instinct than routines.....the routine is ours!

Yes lights can occasionally be left off as a rest period....like a heavey cloudy day!!

mommybaby295

I put my light on a timer, that may help

ray_sj

I think they get used to a routine. My fish sure know when it's time to eat! But, I don't think having the light off occasionally causes any harm.

iloveengl

My schedule is always wonky, so my fishies are always dealing with random feeding/light times. I would recommend the timer because it helps keep the light under 10hrs, which will help reduce algae growth. I really want a timer for my light, but haven't found one yet. Odd feeding times shouldn't be a problem though.

mommybaby295

i bought mine at petsmart, they had the same one at petco. but it's the same thing as the christmas light timer, so wait a few more weeks and you'll see them everywhere, even walmart

iloveengl

Oh great tip, mommybaby!!

aquarist48

Good morning. When you check your impeller in your filter and rinse it off you can try adding some Nova Aqua (adds slime coating to fish) or whatever you use to add slime for your fish onto the impeller itself. You might see a difference.

My fish have me on a daily routine I have my lights on timers. I've had most of my fish for so many years I would like to think that they like a routine as well. They eat at the same time every day, lights on and off the same time every day, their tank is maintained the same day every week. It's rare that I stray from the schedule they have me on I think it gives me peace of mind more than anything else though. Too, it may be less stressful for them to have a routine but I can't prove this.

I have my lights on 12 hours a day. For my tanks this helps to keep algae under control (I like to have some algae in my tanks) The lights are on at 6 am off at 11am back on at 4pm and off at 11pm. This keeps this lights off during the hottest parts of the day (11am to 4pm) and keeps my temperature under control as well. Too, it gives them a few hours of a "cloudy day" by giving them a break for a few hours.
Ken

amaux2

Thanks everyone for your replies I will have to look into getting a timer - I hadn't thought of that. Although I haven't seen Christmas light timers, here in Australia I'm not sure if we have them..
I rinsed off the filter today and yeah the propeller thing looked a bit clogged. It's much quieter now so it must have helped
Ken, good idea about your light times, I'll have to do that now it's coming into summer here.

jdhef

My fish think it is always time to eat!

mommybaby295

Hmm, I hadn't even thought of turning the lights off during the day. Right now we have the lights on from noon to 8pm, but that means that in the morning, we can't really enjoy the fish before I go to work - I'm going to change it so that the lights are on from 7am-10am, and then from 3pm to 8pm. Thanks for the tip!