The Necessity of Proper Aquarium Lighting

For many people aquarium lighting is a waste ofshould also adjust lighting depending on the time of
money. But is it true? In fact, you should make yourthe year.
fish comfortable in the aquarium by providing theRemember, fish also sleep. So you should set-up the
best conditions. Appropriate aquarium lighting is onelighting arrangement in such a way that it will be
of them.effective during most of the daytime. In the night,
The aesthetic sense is also important. Your fish asyou should avoid lighting the aquarium.
well as other livestock and decorations look greatFish keepers always adhere to the common rule of
with proper lighting arrangements. The beauty oflighting in the aquarium -three watts per gallon. This
your aquarium cannot be appreciated in the dark. Ifwill of course change for different types of fish and
the fish you intend to keep are multi-colored, theircorals. If you are having live corals, you should
colors will glow with the help of reflections of light. Ifconsider setting up the lighting up to nine watts per
you are prepared to spend big money on pet fish,gallon.
other livestock and corals, you should get enoughUsually the corals as well as the plants inside the
lighting to enhance their beauty. A good lightingaquarium would require 'spectrum' theme of
theme transfers the aquarium into a piece of art!fluorescent lighting. It is complex but you need to
In addition, most of the fish varieties require somemake a small on-line research depending on the corals
light for their health. The eating habits of fish, theiryou want to keep and the plants you want to
bodily systems, and their pattern of breeding and theintroduce in your aquarium.
efficiency of their reproductive organs depend uponIf you do not have corals or livestock in your
correct lighting. Lighting arrangement affects theiraquarium, then you can think of bulbs on 'color
stress levels also.enhancing' theme. They can be suitable for both
Most of the fish will require at least twelve hours offresh and salt water aquariums and you can add a
light every day to get closer to their naturalsmall yellow or pink tint to glow the color of your
environment. So you will have to provide the lightingfish.
theme which will be closer to the natural light as farIf your aquarium is not lit properly, you may
as possible. So you should use fluorescent lights. Theexperience a big growth of algae in your aquarium. It
household bulbs should not be used in the aquarium.will also affect the levels of carbon dioxide and other
Even the fluorescent lights should be replaced atnutrients in your aquarium. So lighting is an important
particular time intervals, says about six months. Youaspect in the whole aquarium setup and you should
can buy timers from your local hardware shop fornot take it lightly!
maintaining a constant period of time every day. You