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Aquarium enthusiasts know just how important lighting is in a tank, both for aesthetic reasons and for the health of the organisms found therein. But this article isn’t for them, it’s for people considering a fish tank habitat, and who need to know everything to consider when putting one together. Months ago I did a general overview on how to choose an aquarium, but today I’ll focus on a more specific aspect: the lighting.
I’m going to limit my article today to lighting considerations for fish aquariums. Reptiles and amphibians usually need very specific types of light and that’s something you should ask and learn about when purchasing any type of lizard, amphibian, or snake. With fish aquariums you have a greater variety of choices of lighting, though there is still some limit for the health of the fish.
One thing to remember right off the bat is that incandescent lighting is only appropriate for the smallest of aquariums. Incandescent lights are not efficient enough for larger tanks and they have a high heat output that’s really more suited for reptiles. They also output light that’s more on the red end of the spectrum, which promotes algae growth. Thus incandescent bulbs aren’t recommended for aquariums, and they’re really only appropriate for small setups.
Fluorescent lighting is the most popular choice for aquariums. It’s the most cost effective and comes in a wide variety of colors in the light spectrum and in different thicknesses. The size of your tank and the exact fish and plant life you’ll have in it determine the exact type of fluorescent lighting you should purchase. Just make sure you get a type that is specifically meant for aquariums.
There are a few other types of lighting that are appropriate for tanks but they’re really for fancier aquariums. The website Aquarium Guys has a good chart and descriptions of the types of lighting appropriate for the different types of tanks, so check it out.
Another lighting consideration you’ll need to keep in mind is that some types of bulbs imitate daytime lighting, and others do the same for nighttime lighting. If you want a thriving aquarium it’s best to provide 12 hours of “daylight” and twelve hours of “moonlight.” Remember that you want to simulate the natural habitat of your fish – or anemones or whatever else you have in your aquarium – as much as possible. That includes regular cycles of night and day.
The last major thing you’ll need to consider is the heat strength of your lighting. Light heat is measured in Kelvins. Sunlight rates around 5,500K, so purchasing lamps at that strength is appropriate for freshwater fish and some shallow saltwater fish (think how deep in the water, and thus in how much sunlight, your fish is meant to live). Most saltwater fish need light at around 10,000K. If you’ve got a very deep tank or quite deep water fish, then you’ll want a lamp at 20,000K.
Remember to research the types of organisms you’re planning to keep in your tank, and that will guide you in creating their ideal environment.
Related Articles:
Easy Aquarium Plants for Beginners
*(This image by BigGirlBlue is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
