Choosing The Correct Lighting For Your Aquarium
Lighting is always a requirement for aquariums. Not only does it highlight the fish and the dcor but it also serves the ecosystem in the tank, particularly if you have decided to add fresh plants to your tank.
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 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.
If you have live plants, you'll need an aquarium fluorescent light. Available in the form of tubes or compact fluorescent bulbs, their light is much brighter and does not give off any heat. The fluorescent light can be used by your live plants. If your tank is very heavily planted, you may need more than 3 watts per gallon. A compact fluorescent bulb will fit into any fixture designed for incandescent bulbs, while fluorescent light tubes need to be purchased at the correct length for your aquarium hood.
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.
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.
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.
