Aquarium Lighting

One of the most common questions asked regarding lighting is how much do you need. That will depend on a number of different factors. How deep is your aquarium, do you have live plants, and even that type of fish you have can determine the amount of light and type the lights to use. If you don't want to grow plants, or are just sticking with non demanding plants such as the Java fern, you can most likely be fine with just one fluorescent tube. However, if you're growing a variety of aquatic plants, then one tube will probably not be enough, and you may even need something more than fluorescent.

Most aquarium lighting nowadays are fluorescent fixtures. These are not only the most common, but most economical to run. There are several types of fluorescent tubes on the market, but T5's and T 8's are the most commonly used. The main difference between the two is the T5's are 5/8 inch diameter and the T8's are 1 inch in diameter. Also the high output T5's have an output power in watts that is greater than the T8's of similar length. Standard T5's don't differ that much to normal T8's in output, although they may have a longer life span, if they run from electronic ballast.

If your tank is deeper than about 24 inches, you'll probably be better off with T5's. Plants, corals and fish are adapted to a photo period of 12 hours of daylight, followed by 12 hours of dark, so it's best to try and stick to this in your aquarium if you can. A plug-in type timer is useful to turn the lights on and off. Most aquarium light fixtures. come with a reflector built-in. If you have a fixture that doesn't have the reflector built in, then it would be a good idea to add one, or else get a new fixture that does. Also, be sure to keep any cover glasses below the fixture clean at all times.

There are a number of special tubes on the market aimed at plants in corals, that will even help you get the best colors from your fish. These tubes are usually labeled as either plant tubes or aquarium tubes. These tubes can be a little bit more expensive than regular fluorescent tubes are well worth the extra cost. Also if you are growing plants in your aquarium, and these bulbs are a must.

Another option for lighting, is metal halide lights. The metal halide produced a much more intense light than other types of lamps, and can penetrate much deeper into the water. It also provides a more natural typo lighting, which you don't get with fluorescent tubes. Metal halide lambs can either be suspended from the ceiling or affixed to the wall, although you can now buy many units with their own stand. They are best used without cover glasses or condensation trays. The downside to using metal halide, is there more expensive than the other types think you get very hot. This can cause your aquarium to overheat, particularly in the summer. Also, they use more electricity than the fluorescent lights to. So they can be more expensive to run.