The Importance of Selecting the Proper Lighting for Your Aquarium
Posted by | Posted on 1:48 AM
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 buying an aquarium, getting a full tank setup means getting all the necessary equipment, and that includes the lighting. However, if you prefer to have a more customized setup, purchase separate lighting instead. The light you have to get will depend on the size of the tank and your selection of fish and plants.
The power of the aquarium lighting should be around 2 to 3 watts for every gallon of water in the tank. Keep in mind, however, that the lighting requirements for the aquarium with live plants would be more than that of the same aquarium with artificial plants. Be careful though, because more light is not always good for all fish. Some fish thrive in a brightly lit habitat, while some are bothered by too much light and end up being stressed. Furthermore, an environment with too much light causes algae to grow much faster.
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.
Although ordinary household fluorescent lights can be used, full spectrum fluorescent light is best, especially for bright-colored fish and plants. Full spectrum lights are composed of all the important wavelengths of light with each part of the light spectrum having different effects on the aquarium. The bright colors of tropical fish are brought out by the purple end of the spectrum while the blue parts promote the growth of algae. Aquatic plants generally will thrive on the orange to red parts of the spectrum.
Although a lot of fish are nocturnal, it is still important for the main aquarium light to be turned off at night to imitate the natural order they are used to. The use of submersible LED lights will allow you to watch your fish when the main aquarium lights are off. You can use different colors to highlight the dcor or the fish. To watch the fish without disturbing their daily routines, use small red or blue LED lights.
As part of your aquarium maintenance, light bulbs will have to be replaced every year, whether or not they are still working. They are bound to grow dimmer with the passing of time.
Aquarium lighting, well-chosen, will have a big impact on how your aquarium looks and on the well-being of the life in it, so it deserves your careful consideration.
When buying an aquarium, getting a full tank setup means getting all the necessary equipment, and that includes the lighting. However, if you prefer to have a more customized setup, purchase separate lighting instead. The light you have to get will depend on the size of the tank and your selection of fish and plants.
The power of the aquarium lighting should be around 2 to 3 watts for every gallon of water in the tank. Keep in mind, however, that the lighting requirements for the aquarium with live plants would be more than that of the same aquarium with artificial plants. Be careful though, because more light is not always good for all fish. Some fish thrive in a brightly lit habitat, while some are bothered by too much light and end up being stressed. Furthermore, an environment with too much light causes algae to grow much faster.
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.
Although ordinary household fluorescent lights can be used, full spectrum fluorescent light is best, especially for bright-colored fish and plants. Full spectrum lights are composed of all the important wavelengths of light with each part of the light spectrum having different effects on the aquarium. The bright colors of tropical fish are brought out by the purple end of the spectrum while the blue parts promote the growth of algae. Aquatic plants generally will thrive on the orange to red parts of the spectrum.
Although a lot of fish are nocturnal, it is still important for the main aquarium light to be turned off at night to imitate the natural order they are used to. The use of submersible LED lights will allow you to watch your fish when the main aquarium lights are off. You can use different colors to highlight the dcor or the fish. To watch the fish without disturbing their daily routines, use small red or blue LED lights.
As part of your aquarium maintenance, light bulbs will have to be replaced every year, whether or not they are still working. They are bound to grow dimmer with the passing of time.
Aquarium lighting, well-chosen, will have a big impact on how your aquarium looks and on the well-being of the life in it, so it deserves your careful consideration.
About the Author:
Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than 20 years. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance very easy from start up to clearing up cloudy aquariums. To find out more about having an aquarium with clear water and healthy fish please visit ONEdersave.com.
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