| Identifying the requirements for your freshwater | | | | which is the measurement scale for a lights color |
| aquarium lighting system can take a fair amount of | | | | temperature. The Kelvin rating of your bulb for |
| research these days. As the aquatic hobby continues | | | | freshwater fish only setups is not going to matter |
| to gain in popularity, manufacturers are developing | | | | much beyond how your fish "look" under the light. |
| more and more specialized equipment each year. | | | | The color of your fish will change with the various |
| What you need for your setup will be guided by your | | | | light temperatures; a 3000 degree bulb will create a |
| tanks depth and size, any special light needs of your | | | | nice warm yellow light while 6700 degree bulbs have |
| aquatic animals, and if you intend to include living | | | | an appearance more like mid-afternoon daylight under |
| plants in your design. | | | | a bright azure sky. |
| Whether you are purchasing new or used, most | | | | A good range for your freshwater aquarium lighting is |
| aquariums will include some form of light fixture built | | | | 3000 to 7800 degrees Kelvin; you will want to |
| in to their hoods or make provisions for you to add | | | | replace them every 12 months on average, 6 months |
| one. If you have existing equipment, the type of bulb | | | | in a planted aquarium. Do not wait for your |
| you will be using has been made for you - if not, | | | | fluorescent bulbs to burn out, they weaken over |
| there are various forms of bulbs to consider. | | | | time and much of their value has diminished by the |
| The most popular lights are fluorescent, which include | | | | time they are 6 months old. Keep a record in your |
| regular, compact, high output (HO) and very high | | | | maintenance log so you know when to replace them. |
| output (VHO); there are also LED, metal halide and | | | | Freshwater aquarium lighting is absolutely an |
| several other obscure forms. As you can imagine, the | | | | exception to the rule "more is always better than |
| more light a bulb is capable of emitting, the higher the | | | | less"! Do not, and I repeat, do not put more light |
| operating and replacement cost will be. | | | | capacity on your aquarium than you are prepared to |
| Once you have established what design of bulb you | | | | make use of. In addition to promoting prolific algae |
| will be using, there are two other considerations - | | | | growth, too much light in your aquarium will cause |
| first being wattage. Wattage will be referred to as | | | | issues with pH balance, temperature control and |
| "watts per gallon", for fish only freshwater aquarium | | | | water evaporation. |
| lighting, 1-2 watts per gallon is fine. | | | | If you find this confusing, just remember that: |
| Live plants should be between 2-5 watts per | | | | Kelvin = Color |
| aquarium gallon. The further light has to penetrate | | | | Wattage = Brightness |
| into your aquarium, the weaker it becomes - 6 watts | | | | Your next question is most likely "How long should I |
| at the surface may only be 1 at the bottom if you | | | | leave the lights on for?" |
| have a really deep tank. There are many excellent | | | | A basic rule is 8 - 10 hours daily for fish only setups, |
| plants available in the 2-3 watt range that won't | | | | 10-14 if you have plants. Experiment with the number |
| empty your wallet or blow the electric fuse. | | | | of hours until you reach that happy place where |
| Producing intense light for demanding plants (4+ | | | | algae growth is under control. |
| watts per gallon) creates a new set of rules and | | | | Consistency in your lighting period is important as |
| requirements; I strongly recommend doing some | | | | well, pick yourself up an inexpensive light timer and |
| thorough research before venturing forth, it will save | | | | you won't have to roll out of bed at 6AM on Sunday |
| you money in the end. | | | | morning to turn on the lights! |
| The second area of measure is the Kelvin (K) rating, | | | | |