Lighting can enhance the beauty of any aquarium like no other. Having the right lighting will not only make your aquarium more attractive but also provide many practical functions for the ecosystem in your tank. Fish need lighting to see and plants need it for photosynthesis.
When purchasing an aquarium, a full tank setup is the easiest way to get all of the required equipment, including lighting. On the other hand, buying your own lighting allows you to customize the setup. Your choice in aquarium lighting depends on the tank size and the lighting requirements of the plants and fish you have selected.
The power of aquarium lights is measured in watts; usually, aquarium lighting should be about 2-3 watts per gallon of water in the tank. Planted tanks will require more lighting than the exact same aquarium with plastic plants. More lighting is not always better. Some fish enjoy a very bright lit home, but most like a more subdued environment. Lights that are too intense will stress your fish, and can cause algae growth.
For your lighting needs, you can choose between using fluorescent or incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are inexpensive, and therefore good for smaller aquariums, but their yellowish glow is not quite the same as natural light. They also generate heat so it would be a good idea to keep a thermometer handy, and monitor the water temperature regularly.
An aquarium with live plants, on the other hand, will call for fluorescent light. These lights are available in compact bulbs or in tube form. They do not generate heat and have more light per wattage. Live plants benefit from the light emitted by the fluorescent light. Note that for heavily planted tanks, more than the estimated 3 watts per gallon may be needed. For fittings, remember that the length of the fluorescent tube must not exceed the length of the aquarium hood. A compact fluorescent bulb will not have a problem. It can fit into any fixture meant for incandescent bulbs.
Some fluorescent lights come in specialized spectrums, though you can use an ordinary household fluorescent light. "Full Spectrum," which contains all of the necessary wavelengths of light, is the best choice for brightly colored fish and healthy plants. Different parts of the spectrum have different effects on your aquarium. Purple-tinted lights will bring out the colors in bright tropical fish; the blue area of the spectrum increases algae growth. Orange-red light is ideal for your aquatic plants.
Your aquarium lights should be turned off at night, either manually or using a timer. Many fish are nocturnal, but even those that aren't need a night. If you want to watch your fish when the main lights are off, use submersible LED lights, which come in a range of colors to accent your fish or dcor. Small red or blue lights will allow you to watch the fish without disrupting their daily patterns.
Replacing your aquarium light bulbs is an inevitable part of aquarium maintenance. Regardless of whether the light is still working, replace the bulb every year, because they grow dimmer over time.
The well-being of the fish and plants as well as the appearance of your aquarium depend on how well you have chosen your lighting. It is therefore important to make the selection with great care.
When purchasing an aquarium, a full tank setup is the easiest way to get all of the required equipment, including lighting. On the other hand, buying your own lighting allows you to customize the setup. Your choice in aquarium lighting depends on the tank size and the lighting requirements of the plants and fish you have selected.
The power of aquarium lights is measured in watts; usually, aquarium lighting should be about 2-3 watts per gallon of water in the tank. Planted tanks will require more lighting than the exact same aquarium with plastic plants. More lighting is not always better. Some fish enjoy a very bright lit home, but most like a more subdued environment. Lights that are too intense will stress your fish, and can cause algae growth.
For your lighting needs, you can choose between using fluorescent or incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are inexpensive, and therefore good for smaller aquariums, but their yellowish glow is not quite the same as natural light. They also generate heat so it would be a good idea to keep a thermometer handy, and monitor the water temperature regularly.
An aquarium with live plants, on the other hand, will call for fluorescent light. These lights are available in compact bulbs or in tube form. They do not generate heat and have more light per wattage. Live plants benefit from the light emitted by the fluorescent light. Note that for heavily planted tanks, more than the estimated 3 watts per gallon may be needed. For fittings, remember that the length of the fluorescent tube must not exceed the length of the aquarium hood. A compact fluorescent bulb will not have a problem. It can fit into any fixture meant for incandescent bulbs.
Some fluorescent lights come in specialized spectrums, though you can use an ordinary household fluorescent light. "Full Spectrum," which contains all of the necessary wavelengths of light, is the best choice for brightly colored fish and healthy plants. Different parts of the spectrum have different effects on your aquarium. Purple-tinted lights will bring out the colors in bright tropical fish; the blue area of the spectrum increases algae growth. Orange-red light is ideal for your aquatic plants.
Your aquarium lights should be turned off at night, either manually or using a timer. Many fish are nocturnal, but even those that aren't need a night. If you want to watch your fish when the main lights are off, use submersible LED lights, which come in a range of colors to accent your fish or dcor. Small red or blue lights will allow you to watch the fish without disrupting their daily patterns.
Replacing your aquarium light bulbs is an inevitable part of aquarium maintenance. Regardless of whether the light is still working, replace the bulb every year, because they grow dimmer over time.
The well-being of the fish and plants as well as the appearance of your aquarium depend on how well you have chosen your lighting. It is therefore important to make the selection with great care.
About the Author:
Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than two decades. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance very easy from start up to clarifying cloudy aquarium water. To learn more about how you can keep your water clear and have healthy fish, please visit ONEdersave.com.
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