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 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.
Fluorescent light is much more appropriate for an aquarium with live plants. They come in tubes or compact bulbs. The light they emit is more natural looking and does not produce any significant heat. If you have more fresh plants in your tank, you might need more than 3 watts per gallon of water. When purchasing a fluorescent tube, be sure that the length will fit into your aquarium hood. A compact fluorescent bulb, on the other hand, is equipped to fit into any plug designed 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.
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.
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 20 years. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance very easy from start up to clearing up cloudy aquariums. To learn more about how to clear up your water and have healthy fish please visit ONEdersave.com.