| Lighting is one of the most often-neglected aspects | | | | natural light takes care of most of their lighting needs. |
| of maintaining an aquarium. Many inexperienced | | | | The problem with natural light is that it can promote |
| aquarium owners make the mistake of using too | | | | algae growth, and direct sunlight can harm fish and |
| much or too little light, and some even disregard | | | | raise the water's temperature to dangerous levels. |
| lighting altogether. Aquarium lighting is always | | | | #3 - Fluorescent lighting works better than |
| important -- aside from the fact that it makes your | | | | incandescent or halogen lighting. Fluorescent lamps are |
| aquarium more attractive, it also helps keep your fish | | | | closest to natural lighting, and fish are generally more |
| healthy in a number of ways. Here are some tips to | | | | comfortable with the hue. Lamps with a slightly blue |
| keep in mind. | | | | hue are especially good for coral reef aquariums, |
| #1 - The right amount of aquarium lighting replicates | | | | because it replicates the colour of the water under |
| the lighting in the fish's natural habitat. In most cases, | | | | 20-30 feet of water. |
| 12 hours of lighting a day is a good balance, since | | | | #4 - Using live plants in your aquarium will tell you |
| there's roughly 12 hours of good sunlight in most | | | | whether or not the aquarium is getting enough light. |
| parts of the world. The closer you get to the way | | | | Look at the leaves of any live plants you may have |
| nature designed fish to react to light, the healthier | | | | -- if they are losing their colour, then you might need |
| and happier your fish will be. | | | | to light up the aquarium a little longer. If algae is |
| On the other hand, when you use too much lighting | | | | growing a little too quickly, then you may be leaving |
| (such as by not turning off the light at all), you might | | | | the light on a little too long. Trial-and-error is often |
| induce some unnecessary stress in your fish. Some | | | | the best way to see just how much lighting your |
| aquariums come with lighting hoods with timers, so | | | | own aquarium needs. |
| you can set exactly when you want the light to turn | | | | The right type and amount of lighting is always |
| on and off. This can be pretty helpful for aquariums | | | | affected by the size and shape of your aquarium, |
| that are in the middle of the house, where it's hard | | | | the kinds and number of your fish, and whether or |
| to get any natural lighting. | | | | not you'll be using live plants in it. As with everything |
| #2 - Be careful with natural lighting. Some aquarium | | | | else, it's always best to do your share of the |
| owners place their aquariums near windows, where | | | | homework before setting up your first aquarium. |