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Choosing the Proper Lighting for Your Aquarium

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 01:00:13 +0000

In the past, aquarium lighting was an often-overlooked aspect of aquarium keeping. However, we now know that proper lighting plays a vital role in the success of all aquarium systems.

Why is Lighting Important for Aquariums?
In its most basic role, aquarium lighting allows hobbyists to observe aquarium inhabitants. But more importantly, proper aquarium lighting provides vital energy to photosynthetic plants and animals. As the primary light source (and in most cases, the only light source), proper aquarium lighting is essential for any system that contains photosynthetic organisms such as plants, anemones, or corals. Lighting also influences fish behavior and physiology and is vital for the overall health and well-being of the entire aquarium.

Different Light Bulbs and Light Fixtures for Different Setups
There are a wide variety of lighting options for aquarists. This diverse selection allows hobbyists of all levels to provide the right lighting conditions for their particular aquarium inhabitants. Aquarium light fixtures are generally grouped into four general categories (from oldest technology to most innovative): Normal output fluorescent lighting, compact fluorescent lighting, high intensity metal halide lighting, and LED (Light Emitting Diode) systems.

Normal Output Fluorescent Lighting
Also called Standard Fluorescent Lights, these versatile lighting systems are the easiest way to illuminate an aquarium. Fluorescent light fixtures are a great choice for fresh and saltwater fish-only aquariums. The wide selection of bulbs available for these easy-to-use, affordable, and energy-efficient light fixtures allows hobbyist to customize aquarium lighting. Use different bulbs to provide the right light for your aquarium inhabitants.

Compact Fluorescents
Compact fluorescent are higher light output versions of standard fluorescent light systems. Instead of single tube bulbs, compact fluorescent systems incorporate dual or quad tube bulbs for greater light output from a single bulb. A single compact fluorescent light fixture easily does the job of two standard fluorescent fixtures. This space-saving feature makes compact fluorescent systems a great choice when upgrading from standard fluorescent systems. Fortunately, compact fluorescent light systems are no more difficult to operate and maintain than standard fluorescent light systems. These self-contained lighting systems are easy to operate and since they are a type of fluorescent light system, it has all the benefits of fluorescent lighting. For example, low operating cost, lower heat emission, and a wide selection of bulbs with color temperatures ideal for both freshwater and marine applications.

Metals Halides
Metal halide systems are high intensity discharge (HID) lighting systems popular among many advanced aquarium hobbyists. Metal halide bulbs are comprised of a main glass bulb with a series of wires connecting another glass bulb (arc tube) within it. When electricity passes through the arc tube, the gases and metal salts contained within the tube produce light. Unlike other high intensity discharge lighting systems (e.g., sodium or mercury vapor lights), the light spectrum and the color rendition produced by metal halides is suited for aquarium use. Metal halide fixtures are ideal for aquariums, such as reef aquariums, with inhabitants that require high lighting conditions. Metal halide systems are also used for very large aquariums or aquariums deeper than 24 inches where other lighting systems may not be powerful enough to provide adequate illumination.

LED (Light Emitting Diode)
As a relative "newcomer" to the world of aquarium lighting, LED light fixtures are often subject to confusion and misconceptions. LED technology employs a radically different approach to light generation. LEDs emit light as energized or exited subatomic particles pass through a semiconductor material. This distinct process of light generation called electroluminescence requires FAR LESS energy to produce brilliant light for an energy-efficient choice to aquarium lighting.

When concerned with supporting photosynthetic aquatic life, hobbyists should look for PAR values of LED fixtures. PAR or Photosynthetically Active Radiation designates a spectral range of light that photosynthetic organisms utilize during photosynthesis. Keep in mind that PAR values vary at different depths and distances from the LED light source. In other words, the same LED fixture will have multiple PAR values capable of supporting different species with different light requirements. Due to the relatively complex nature of expressing PAR levels and a lack of standardization, not all manufactures will provide PAR information the same way. To determine which LED aquarium light fixture is right for you, please refer to our handy LED Lighting Comparison Guide.

Choosing the right lights for your aquarium is a matter of personal taste and your inhabitant's needs. However, be sure to always use lighting systems specifically designed for aquariums. The right lights help you enjoy the beauty of your aquarium AND keep your inhabitants healthy.

Create an Ideal Lighting Conditions for Aquarium Organisms with appropriate Aquarium Light

Thu, 15 Jan 2015 06:50:50 +0000

Aquarium lighting is the most significant yet overlooked component of any aquarium, as many people are not aware that proper light intensity is required for invertebrates and corals to survive. It is a fact that plants, corals, and invertebrates are in definite need of light for photosynthesis to generate food and energy. Thus, if the light condition is not proper then invertebrates and corals are not able to receive the sufficient light from the aquarium lights and then it becomes difficult for the aquatic plants and corals to survive. Therefore selecting the right aquarium and fish tank light is essential to prolong the life of coral, fish, and aquatic plants.

The most vital aspect of keeping aquarium and fish tank is ensuring their health and well being, which can be maintained by the use of proper aquarium and fish tank light. Thus, extreme caution and alertness is required while buying aquarium or fish tank light as a improper or wrong decision might lead to the improper growth of plants and fishes. One should apply the basic rule while selecting the aquarium light as one to two watts of lighting per gallon for fish only aquarium is required, whereas two to five watts per gallon of lighting is required for freshwater planted aquariums and four to eight watts of lighting per gallon is required for reef aquariums.

The advancement in science and technology have enabled manufacturers to come up with extensive variety of aquarium and fish tank light that increases the life span of plants and fishes in the most energy-efficient manner. The most common variety of aquarium and fish tank light available in the market include:

LED aquarium lights
Compact metal halide bulbs
Fluorescent light
Incandescent bulbs
High output fluorescent bulbs

These aquarium and fish tank energy efficient lights can be put overhead or behind the aquarium or fish tank to increase the life span of plants and fishes. However selecting the correct fixture for aquarium and fish tank is essential as a deeper fish tank or aquarium requires more intense light source because light rays do not easily penetrate through the water.

Aquarium and fish tank light of correct color and appropriate intensity plays a vital role in assuring health and well being of the aquarium organisms. The best led aquarium light as the most pleasing for the aquarium hobbyists. This ideal lighting condition is not just great for the tank inhabitants but it is also a delight for the viewers too.

Why do aquarium corals need lighting?

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 13:45:43 +0000

Water quality (in which I include water movement) is top of the list in importance when it comes to keeping a saltwater aquarium. Closely following water quality is aquarium lighting, as much life on the reef depends on it.

The lighting used for a reef aquarium is more intense than on any other type. The reason for this is that we are trying to simulate the sun as far as humanly possible. Reef aquarium lighting is normally more towards the blue end of the colour spectrum as we are trying to produce the lighting colours present at between 10m and 30m in water depth.

Colours are lost the greater the water depth is, the first loss is red. The reason we choose colours present at the depth given is that is the depth where the majority of corals are obtained.

The provision of lighting for a marine reef aquarium needs careful consideration. The depth of the aquarium, distance of the lights from the water, and the type of animals you wish to keep are questions you need to ask yourself.

In the aquarium corals receive energy from the light which is provided for them. The remainder of the energy required is from the corals themselves actively feeding. I will produce a post in the future which will cover various ways to feed your corals.
In the marine reef aquarium the aquarists has a responsibility to supply the light the animals would receive in the wild as far as possible. Obviously we cannot equal the sun itself, particularly its intensity, however we can produce the spectrum of LED aquarium light essentially required.

In the wild the light provision is simple. In basic terms light is provided for around 12 hours a day and a night period of around 12 hours. The light provided by the sun is very intense even when there is cloud cover. The amount of lighting wattage we would need to provide the aquarium to even come close to this sun power would be enormous. In terms of cost and physically fitting the lights it is clearly of no use to an aquarist. buy led aquarium lighting in New Zealand, you can visit: www.ledgrowlight.co.nz