| The type of lighting that we will select for use in our | | | | depend on which expert we ask as to how they will |
| saltwater aquarium is largely dependant upon the | | | | evaluate LED. One way or the other, the aquarist |
| grouping of livestock that we will select to inhabit the | | | | community would be well served to keep a watchful |
| tank. Regular cycles of light are commonly used to | | | | eye on evolving technological developments among |
| simulate day and night for fish and invertebrates. This | | | | LED light sources, as implications currently include |
| encourages a feel of a natural environment among | | | | advances in lighting schedules, simulations of lunar |
| our livestock, cultivating the proper periods of rest | | | | lighting, and even the effective simulation of cloud |
| and similar such circumstances that are most | | | | coverage. |
| conducive to their successful and healthy adaptations | | | | Different types of fluorescent bulbs all have about |
| to our aquariums. | | | | the same intensity, but it is their various shapes and |
| Tanks containing only fish and live rock do not | | | | reflectors that result in their unique specifications. The |
| commonly require overly specific lighting techniques. | | | | newer fluorescents have improved reflectors, |
| However, invertebrates and the required propagation | | | | allowing more amounts of light into the aquarium than |
| of various forms of algae that are commonly needed | | | | in years past. The more recently designed bulbs are a |
| indeed calls for more specific and customized lighting. | | | | bit more costly to maintain than their predecessors, |
| Choices for lighting our tanks include natural sunlight, | | | | so some aquarists continue to use traditional |
| Light Emitting Diode (LED), various forms of | | | | fluorescent lighting sources. |
| fluorescent bulbs, and metal halide lights. | | | | Metal halide lights are comparable in practicality to |
| Natural sunlight is only effective as a light source for | | | | fluorescent lighting. Many aquarists consider the |
| a saltwater aquarium in geographic areas located in | | | | primary difference to be that metal halide may be |
| the vicinity of the equator. This is due to the levels | | | | concentrated into specific areas of the tank while |
| of intensity of sunlight found in such areas. Such | | | | fluorescent light is distributed evenly. Metal halide |
| aquarist techniques involving the use of sunlight and in | | | | lighting systems are usually more of a financial |
| the vicinity of the equator are only implemented | | | | investment than fluorescent lights, but are required |
| among large reef tanks. In tanks that are much more | | | | for certain reef tanks. |
| commonly found among hobbyists throughout the | | | | Overall, it will depend on the specific types of |
| world, natural sunlight is avoided as a light source as it | | | | livestock that we desire to maintain as to the |
| is potentially detrimental to many forms of livestock | | | | importance of our choice for lighting. This is of course |
| for a variety of reasons. | | | | directly related to the amount that we should be |
| LED sources have a great deal of potential. The jury | | | | willing to invest in our lighting and the extents that |
| is somewhat still out on the extent of their | | | | we will go to achieve and maintain our optimal light |
| practicality and effectiveness, however, so it can | | | | conditions. |