| Remember that the aquarium you plan to have is | | | | Remember the kinds of plants and fish that you |
| where fish and other living organisms will establish | | | | intend to put in the tank when choosing the right |
| their "residence." Instead of having a dark house with | | | | metal halide lighting. This type of aquarium lighting |
| no lights, any living creature will truly appreciate | | | | come in various temperatures (often in degrees |
| having some sort of lighting for their own protection. | | | | Kelvin) and colors. Aquarium metal halide lighting with |
| Aquarium lighting is important because this will give all | | | | higher degrees Kelvin emit light in a bluer shade and |
| the organisms present in the aquarium, most | | | | are preferred for aquariums with saltwater reef |
| especially the photosynthetic organisms the | | | | variety, while lights that have lower degrees Kelvin |
| spectrum, what they need for their growth and | | | | emit light in shades of yellow and white and are |
| survival. | | | | preferred for freshwater planted fish tanks. Since |
| A complete aquarium would have real corals, which | | | | these lights emit heat, water temperature in the |
| have zooxanthellae, types of algae present in their | | | | aquarium is affected. Thus, proper ventilation and |
| tissues. When aquarium fish release a light spectrum, | | | | temperature controls, such as chillers, are needed, |
| thanks to aquarium lighting, sugar is produced. This | | | | especially for reef aquariums that tolerate only a |
| sugar feeds the zooxanthellae, which in turn, make | | | | certain level of temperature. |
| the corals flourish. Aquarium lighting also gives your | | | | Choosing fluorescent lights for aquarium lighting |
| tank better visual aesthetics. It gives beauty and an | | | | Fluorescent lighting is more energy efficient, cooler, |
| additional effect to make your aquatic pets more | | | | and can be operated at a less expense than |
| visible, especially during the evenings. | | | | aquarium metal halide lighting. They are further |
| Types of aquarium lights | | | | subdivided into three types: the NO, or normal |
| The most popular types of aquarium lighting are | | | | output, the VHO, or very high output, and T5. You |
| metal halide and fluorescent. These two are not to | | | | can usually see three different labels of these bulbs |
| be mistaken with the usual incandescent and | | | | for aquarium use, referring to the diameter of the |
| fluorescent lights you have at home. If you use | | | | bulb. Fluorescent T12 aquarium lights are 1.5 inches in |
| standard lights and bulbs, chances are, algae will thrive | | | | diameter. Meanwhile, T8 fluorescent bulbs are smaller, |
| in your aquarium, making your fish tank much like a | | | | with a diameter of an inch. The T5 bulb is the |
| garden with weeds. Furthermore, fish tank lights are | | | | smallest, measuring 5/8 of an inch in diameter. Among |
| more affordable and give a spectral range that's | | | | the three types of fluorescent fish tank lighting, T5 |
| needed to enhance the visuals of the aquarium. Fish | | | | bulbs are the brightest, yet they give out less heat |
| tank lighting comes in various forms; you should | | | | and are more efficient in terms of using energy. VHO |
| consider choosing which type of aquarium lighting | | | | bulbs usually last for half a year, while T5 aquarium |
| would suite the type of fish and other organisms you | | | | lighting last longer. It would take about 3 years |
| will place in your tank. The depth and size of your | | | | before they need to be replaced. |
| aquarium should also be a prime consideration. | | | | Advice on fish tank lighting |
| Aquarium metal halide lighting is considered by most | | | | Aquarium lighting is supposed to copy light conditions |
| hobbyists and enthusiasts as more appealing in terms | | | | that the fish and plants in the aquarium are used to |
| of looks and more compact than their fluorescent | | | | with their natural surroundings. Without proper |
| counterparts. As an intensive lighting source, they are | | | | aquarium lighting, organisms living in the fish tank will |
| more used in planted fish tanks or reef fish tanks. As | | | | display signs of poor health, looking weak and |
| they emit very strong lights, this type of lighting can | | | | discolored. Aquarium lighting has to be turned on for |
| add to the beauty of the tank by making light rippling | | | | 12 hours, for the organisms in the fish tank to stay |
| and light dancing effects similar to sunlight reflecting | | | | healthy and show normal behavior. |
| through a pond or sea. | | | | |