Adding new fish, turn off lights? Tank is loaded with coral.

[aciak]

I’m getting 3 goby’s from dr reef this Thursday and part of their recommended acclimation process is to turn off the lights when adding the fish. The tank has been running for almost two years and is loaded with softies and LPS. Is it okay to turn off the lights for the day when I’m adding the fish? I just don’t want to comprise the health of all my beautiful coral.

Sidenote: the tank hasn’t had any fish in it for a year. Here’s a pic from back in December. Coral has all grow quite a bit since.

 

[Sump Crab]

I just keep my lights off during acclimation and then for about another 30 minutes or so as long as the fish are acting normal.

Corals will be fine

 

[i cant think]

I’m getting 3 goby’s from dr reef this Thursday and part of their recommended acclimation process is to turn off the lights when adding the fish. The tank has been running for almost two years and is loaded with softies and LPS. Is it okay to turn off the lights for the day when I’m adding the fish? I just don’t want to comprise the health of all my beautiful coral.

Sidenote: the tank hasn’t had any fish in it for a year. Here’s a pic from back in December. Coral has all grow quite a bit since.

If I’m honest, with gobies I wouldn’t even turn off the light - there generally isn’t any need to do that. I find it’s only when tangs and large boisterous fish are established and you’re adding more then it’s an issue.

 

[VintageReefer]

I only turn off lights if I see any aggression signs. Regardless, leaving the lights off for a few hours won’t cause any harm

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I've never turned off my lights when adding fish.

 

[aciak]

Thanks the input! I think I’ll just shut off the lights for a few hours after adding them to the tank. Keep an eye on things then turn em back on if all looks well.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Yeah, I agree with everyone else. You don't need to turn your lights off. All it will do is maybe decrease the stress of the fish a tiny bit.

People do blackouts in their tanks to help with algae control - this can last up to three days, and all corals are completely fine.

If you do decide to turn off your lights, your coral will be completely fine.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Yeah, I agree with everyone else. You don't need to turn your lights off. All it will do is maybe decrease the stress of the fish a tiny bit.

People do blackouts in their tanks to help with algae control - this can last up to three days, and all corals are completely fine.

If you do decide to turn off your lights, your coral will be completely fine.

And just to add, turning the lights off actually stresses out the current fish, they don't know whats going on.

If you really want to add fish with lights off, the least intrusive way is to add it in the evening after lights off.

 

[aciak]

And just to add, turning the lights off actually stresses out the current fish, they don't know whats going on.

If you really want to add fish with lights off, the least intrusive way is to add it in the evening after lights off.

Ah I see. Good to know for the future!

 

[GARRIGA]

The room light I’m assuming is on when acclimating then dropping into the tank unless doing that under total darkness yet still needing some light to see that progress has gone as expected.

Perhaps turning the lights off being were there other aggressive territorial fish therefore allowing new arrivals time to adjust to their new potentially stressful reality. Why acclimation boxes were developed although most likely were guppy breeding boxes at one time

 

[aciak]

The room light I’m assuming is on when acclimating then dropping into the tank unless doing that under total darkness yet still needing some light to see that progress has gone as expected.

Perhaps turning the lights off being were there other aggressive territorial fish therefore allowing new arrivals time to adjust to their new potentially stressful reality. Why acclimation boxes were developed although most likely were guppy breeding boxes at one time

Yup the room lights will be on and the tank is in a room with quite a bit of natural light that’s indirect. If I could turn off the sun I would, but that would present a whole other bag of issues for all life on earth haha.

 

[GARRIGA]

Yup the room lights will be on and the tank is in a room with quite a bit of natural light that’s indirect. If I could turn off the sun I would, but that would present a whole other bag of issues for all life on earth haha.

Why I don't grasp placing an animal suddenly into total darkness other than to avoid aggression and at that point an acclimation box better since that aggression might still be present come morning. Fish know something new amidst their territory.

 

[Flatearth]

Turning off the lights has often helped me. A lot of fish go into "bedtime mode" when the lights go off and return to their caves. This gives the new fish time to acclimate without others poking at it, even peaceful fish will get curious and come poking at the new guy sometimes. Not always a problem, but I usually turn the light off now to make it easier on the fish. Bottom dwellers it seems this is less of an issue though.

As for the coral they will be fine as others have said. In the wild cloudy days(or even weeks) happen where the coral don't get much light. Nothing to be worried about.

 

[aciak]

Well, got the fish this morning. From dr reef. All looked very healthy. Kept the lights off for about three hours after adding em to the tank.

Got a clown, firefish, clown goby and Yasha goby. The clown went in a newly cycled 15 gallon. Lights will be off in that tank till I add coral. The rest went into the established tank with coral. The firefish and clown goby are out and about, and the Yasha is no where to be found right now. Although there’s a lot of rock work to hide in. I fed the tank some mysis and brine and the firefish and clown goby ate it right up. Figure it’ll take a bit for the Yasha to come out. How long should I wait to see him before I should get worried?

 

[i cant think]

Well, got the fish this morning. From dr reef. All looked very healthy. Kept the lights off for about three hours after adding em to the tank.

Got a clown, firefish, clown goby and Yasha goby. The clown went in a newly cycled 15 gallon. Lights will be off in that tank till I add coral. The rest went into the established tank with coral. The firefish and clown goby are out and about, and the Yasha is no where to be found right now. Although there’s a lot of rock work to hide in. I fed the tank some mysis and brine and the firefish and clown goby ate it right up. Figure it’ll take a bit for the Yasha to come out. How long should I wait to see him before I should get worried?

I’d leave it a good 2 weeks maybe 3 - Yashas are a very skittish species.

 

[southeastfishaddict]

What happens if the fish died under the rocks .. will that mess with the water quality?

 

[aciak]

What happens if the fish died under the rocks .. will that mess with the water quality?

Absolutely. It can foul the water. How much it does depends on how established the tank is. I have that happen with a watchman goby. Added him to the tank never to be seen again. I knew he died when I started seeing elevated nitrates as I tested every week.

Also, post update: all the fish are doing great! The Yasha comes out every time for feeding.

 

[Idech]

What happens if the fish died under the rocks .. will that mess with the water quality?

It depends. If you have a good CUC it will quickly disappear. If not, then yes, you need to remove it.