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.
There are two types of lighting to choose from for a freshwater aquarium. You can have either an incandescent or a fluorescent bulb. Incandescent bulbs are more appropriate for smaller tanks and generally cheaper than fluorescent bulbs. But the yellow color of light they emit is not at all similar to natural light. They also heat up the water so you have to regularly monitor the 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.
Aquarium bulb replacement is an important and unavoidable part of the maintenance of your aquarium. The bulbs should be replaced yearly even if they are still working because they gradually dim with time.
If you choose the right aquarium light, it will not only add color and artistry to your aquarium, it will also serve you well in keeping your fish and plants healthy.
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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