All aquariums require lighting. It not only enhances the look of your aquarium, including the dcor and the fish themselves, but it is also necessary for the ecosystem in your tank, especially if you have live plants.
The easier way to set up an aquarium is to get the full tank setup. This usually includes the lighting, along with the other necessary equipment. Although this setup might be cheaper, it is much more advisable to choose your own lighting so that you can customize it according to the size of your tank and the needs of your selected fish and plants.
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 a freshwater aquarium, your choice is between incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. The incandescent type gives of a yellowish glow that is not very close to natural light, but they are inexpensive, and can be a good choice for smaller aquariums. Incandescent bulbs do emit heat, so be sure to place a thermometer in the tank to monitor the water temperature.
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.
You also need to know about light spectrum. Fluorescent lights have specialized spectrums for your aquarium needs. Full spectrums gives out all the required wavelengths of light that is best for your fish and fresh plants. Different parts of the spectrum have distinctive effects on the different contents of your aquarium. Tropical fish grow brighter with purple-tinted lights. Aquatic plants grow better under the orange-red light.
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.
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.
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.
Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than 20 years. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance really easy from start up to clarifying cloudy fish tanks. To find out more about how to keep your water clear and your fish healthy, please visit ONEdersave.com.
