CHOOSING AQUARIUM LIGHTS
Aquarium lighting is another one of those topics that vary from tank to tank. What works for you may not be ideal for someone else. This seems to be a common occurrence in many areas within this wonderful hobby. Our practices and processes usually come to the same conclusion but often the way we get there is as unique as our tanks are themselves.
Before getting into the types a lights available we need to know what the functions of each type of light serve. The main purpose is of course to give us the illumination we need to view our fish. Lights can also enhance the colours of our fish making them stand out. Another important purpose would be to provide the light our photosynthetic plants need to flourish. Through photosynthesis our plants turn the light into energy. You must make sure you have adequate lighting for the type of plants you have. I only have low light plants but there are a wide variety of plants that have different requirements that must be researched when choosing the lights you will be needing.
The first thing to look at is the lighting options available to us. There are three basic light systems used in this hobby.
The first would be Fluorescent. This type of light is one of the most common for smaller aquariums and the most inexpensive. They most often come with aquariums when purchased in kits. Although you can purchase them separately as well. Of my 10 tanks only my 20 gallon growout has a Fluorescent light and that came as a kit about 100 years ago. Fluorescents lights are suitable for freshwater aquariums and planted tanks with low light plants. They come in a variety of sizes and are available to fit most every aquarium size out there. The bulbs are tubes that snap in place. They can be replaced as necessary.
The T5 HO or high output fluorescent lights are a more advance style of the fluorescent light. Giving off twice as much light than the standard bulbs, the lights are better for larger tanks as they can penetrate the water to a deeper level. They do give off a fair amount of heat so that is something that you must keep an eye on. I had two of these on my 150 gallon aquarium when I got it but, I found them so heavy and cumbersome to move I quickly changed then for lights that worked better for me.
The LED lights are fast becoming the favourite among fish keepers. LED stands for (light emitting diode). These lights have many positives making them so popular. They are a sleek in design, have shimmering effects, remote controls, different colours available and their lights stay consistent through the life of the light.
For an aquarium that is home to only fish it's recommended that you provide 3 watts of lighting per gallon of water the tank holds. This ratio is important in controlling algae. If you have a problem with algae your lights may be too bright.
The length of time we run our lights usually ranges from 8-12 hours a day, depending on the aquarium setup. A good middle of the road is 10 hours which is ideal for most aquariums.
Reducing the time our lights stay on, can help in certain situations. The most common would be the growth of algae. Running your lights for no more than 8 hours a day will most likely address this issue without much trouble. Cutting back the exposure time for the algae will help to inhibit it's growth.
Another reason for reducing light is for the fish themselves. Some species prefer an ambient light. If the room you have your aquarium in, has sufficient light coming in naturally, you may even do without lights completely.
Reducing lights at certain times can benefit your fish as well. Lowering lights when adding new fish is a good way for them to check things out without being overly harassed. Lower lights have also been helpful in lowering aggression in some species. African Cichlids being a prime candidate for that.
There are also times when we should increase our light time. Planted tanks are one type of tank that need extra lighting as many plants require at least 12 hours of light per day. This is defined by the type of plants and the tank setup itself.
Providing the proper amount of light and the type of light is imperative to the well being of your tank inhabitants. Setting up a timer with a schedule is a benefit, as erratic lighting can cause stress in your fish which in turn, can lead to health problems. For beginners a kit is the best option as they come complete with all you need to start your first aquarium including lights in a hood. Some kits now have LED lights instead of fluorescents.
What you choose to home in your aquarium, whether fish only, low light plants or high light plants, saltwater or reef. Each of these have their own specific needs. In order to provide them with what they need so you can enjoy a successful experience do a little investigating...