| Lighting is a necessary element to the acrylic | | | | Metal halide |
| aquarium, both to mimic light as it would appear in a | | | | Metal halide bulbs have been popular as well. Created |
| natural environment and for viewers to see the | | | | in the 1960s, these lights are popular for their high |
| elements of the aquarium. | | | | intensity light source. These bulbs are more powerful |
| Acrylic aquarium lighting also adds brilliance to the | | | | than traditional fluorescents and glow in a wide arc. |
| display. | | | | The newest rage in acrylic aquarium lighting is the |
| Natural daylight from the sun is required to support | | | | Solaris LED system which replaces metal halide and |
| the animal and plant life in the aquarium. Placement of | | | | fluorescent bulbs. These lights burn for 50,000 hours, |
| the aquarium is a factor in the amount of sunlight the | | | | reducing replacement intervals to nearly six years. |
| aquarium will receive. | | | | LED lights heat up and out of the tank so the water |
| Incandescent bulbs | | | | temperature is not disturbed. A chiller is not needed |
| Smaller aquariums can use incandescent bulbs, but a | | | | and less strain is placed on the air conditioning system |
| great deal of heat is emitted from them and thus | | | | in the space. Built-in microprocessors allow the lights |
| fluorescents are much preferred. | | | | to be automatically set for color differentiations at |
| Standard fluorescent bulbs | | | | various times of the day. |
| Aquarium lighting systems have typically been | | | | Consideration also must be given to the color of the |
| fluorescent bulbs because they emit less heat and | | | | light. Known as "Kelvin," the amount of Kelvin |
| use less energy. | | | | intensity produces different lighting colors in the |
| Power compacts | | | | aquarium. |
| An efficient way of lighting your acrylic aquarium is | | | | Lighting varies for freshwater life versus saltwater |
| with power compact lights. This light source is more | | | | life. |
| intense than traditional fluorescent bulbs. They don't | | | | Light timers can be installed to automate the amount |
| heat up as much and save on energy. | | | | of lighting provide in the aquarium. |