Can you place a fish tank in a basement? / How much light do fish need daily?

[Dzovi]

I wanted to set up a fish tank in my basement but wasn't sure if it would be ok because there is almost no natural light. Would it be ok to set it up there or what safeguards do I have to watchout for? If anyone can help out that would be great.

ONE MORE QUESTION----

If I place the fish tank in the basement then how many hours of light should I give the fish? I'm worried about cost of running a fish tank light 16 hours a day.

[Lauren]

All my tanks are in my basement, it gets no natural light or maybe very very little, the only window is tiny & is below the deck anyways...

All my fish do fine with just plain cheap shop lights :D

[Rob]

Most of my tanks are also in the basement with cheap shoplights.
Nothing to worry about unless you plan to put alot of tank there.

[jeep]

http://forum.simplydiscus.com//index.php?board=11;action=display;threadid=14556 ;D

[Moon]

My fish room is in my basement with 15 tanks. All lit with flourescent lights for about 16 hrs per day. The lights are room lights and not individual tank lights. Only tanks with plants have individual lights. I've had this set up for 15 years and works well for me.

[strawman]

17 tanks in the basement with no natural light at all. Shop lights and indivdual tank lights are on a timer and stay lite for 12 hours.

[ronrca]

All my tanks are in the basement and Im using Home Depot fluorescent strip lights. My lights are on 24/7!