In aquariums your main concern in lighting is meeting the needs of the plants and invertebrates in the tank. Some plants or corals, clams and anemones desire large amounts of light for an extensive photo-period (length of time there is light). Others are not so fussy but there are some important points you need to remember.

Firstly a normal fluorescent desk lamp will not really work. This is because it doesn't give out the right type of light. In the same way a rainbow has 7 colours, daylight also has a spectrum of light. This means that it will have certain amounts of light in different frequencies or colours out of the rainbow (as we aren't being too technical).

This daylight can be called full spectrum and this is the kind of light you will wanting to be replicating. Normal everyday use fluorescent tubes just don't have the right frequencies of light and are no where near the right intensity or strength.

In a tank with no plants and no corals just some good intense florescent lights as normal tubes or power compacts will do the trick. Make sure that they are VHO or very high output lights with full spectrum coverage to keep your fish happy.

In a planted fresh water aquarium you need to have some fluorescent lights that cover the full spectrum of light. The full spectrum tubes will also normalize the visible colour in your aquarium so it is nice to look at and not some strange colour.
In addition to this you will wish to add tubes which give off specific frequencies of light that plants really like to use in order to grow.

Plants manufacture sugars from light during photosynthesis so I you boost the correct type of light the plants will grow better.
Some freshwater tanks that are very deep or with large quantities or very light demanding plants may use metal halide lamps but that is more the realm of marine tanks and corals. What is important is to provide your tank with the right amount and type of light.

Aquarium lighting part 2

Read More Articles

Sponsored Links