Aquarium Light -- Basic Guide to Fish Tank Lights

Choosing the right type of aquarium light for your tank is essential for the optimal health and well-being of your pet fish and aquatic plants. Improper lighting can cause stress to the fish, lower levels of activity, and poor overall health. Choosing proper fish tank lights should be done carefully and creatively. You not only will want a lights That would be conducive to the fish environment but also lights that will make your aquarium more attractive. Choosing an aquarium light does not have to be an arduous task; in fact, it can be very enjoyable as you can set up lights however you see fit.

The type of aquarium lights needed depends entirely on the types of fish plants and other animals that you have in your aquarium. Different plants, fish, and other animals fish have different requirements. Below are the different types of aquarium light bulbs.

1. Fluorescent light bulbs -- the fluorescent light is the most commonly used light in aquariums. These lights tend to be the most affordable and readily available. Because of the ease-of-use, fluorescent lights are typically used by beginner aquarium keepers. Fluorescent light bulbs are great for lighting larger areas. The drawback of using fluorescent lighting is the tendency of dimming over a shorter period of time. This means that you may have to replace these particular lights off in and on a regular schedule. The great thing about fluorescent lights is that they are available in a variety of colors. If you only have fairly common fish in your tank, you probably only need a 10,000k all-purpose fluorescent light bulb.

2. Power compact bulbs -- also known as compact fluorescent lights, these bulbs are the latest technology of fluorescent and is quickly replacing the traditional fluorescent light. The fluorescent aquatic light produces more intensity while using less power. Power compact bulbs also take up less space than traditional fluorescent light bulbs.

Power compact fluorescent lights will not work with standard fluorescent light fixtures, so you will need special light fixtures in order to use them. Although compact fluorescent lights may have a more expensive upfront cost, it is actually less expensive in the long term since these lights will last longer than a traditional fluorescent light.

3. Incandescent bulbs -- these bulbs are the cheapest and easiest aquatic light bulb you can find. These type of bulbs are usually used in smaller fishbowl lamps and come in a variety limited colors.

Incandescent bulbs are the least efficient type of aquarium bulb, producing a lot of energy and heat. The high heat output may be best suited for reptile pets and should only be used in small aquarium setups.

4. Lunar light bulbs-- these are LED lights that produce a moonlight effect. This light is used to give fish a feel of their natural environment. These particular lights use little energy and gives off little heat.


5. Metal halide bulbs--these bulbs are high-powered, high-intensity bulbs, ranging from 70-1000 watts. These lights are most commonly used for salt water animals that need intense lighting. This light tends to be the favorite among aquarium keepers for its beautiful shimmering light effects that mimic natural sunlight. The high intensity of the bulbs make it generally unsuitable for beginners, especially those starting with smaller tanks.

These bulbs produce pinpoint sources of light, centralizing heat in one particular area. Because of this, these bulbs get extremely hot and dangerous to handle. Overheating is avoided by the use of cooling fans mounted above the water's surface.

Changing the bulbs regularly is important for the aquatic organism's well-being. As a general guide, you should change your bulbs once every 8-12 months if you have both plants and animals; change the bulbs every 12-24 months for animals only. If you're ever in doubt, or don't know the last time the bulb was changed, replace the bulb.

Determining the type of aquatic lighting needed for your tank depends on several factors, including the size of the tank , type, and number of organisms.  When choosing the right type of fish tank lights, keep in mind that you want to create as natural environment as possible for your aquatic animals and plants.

Some fish and/or plants come from shaded environments and need very little lighting.  If this is the case, then intense lighting and a long period of light will be unnecessary.  If you have animals and plants from more tropical areas, then you will most likely need a more intense direct light source and longer lighting periods (12 hours).  Organisms such as aquatic plants and coral will thrive under a high light environment.  Deep water fish and reefs need ultraviolet light that can penetrate water from a far distance.  Acinitic lighting produce daylight spectrum UV lights important for deep water animals and plants that rely on UV light for photosynthesis.

The most important aspect to consider with aquarium lighting is the type of organisms you have, and their natural day/night cycle.  Having too much or too little light can cause the fish undue stress and impact their health and behavior.  It is your job to create a natural day/night environment for your aquatic pets.

Your aquarium light planning should mimic natural daylight and moonlight.  When creating a daylight cycle, avoid placing your tank in direct sunlight to avoid overheating and algae overgrowth.  The day light cycle you will need to create will depend on the type of organisms in your tank.  Typically, the light will be on for 8-12 hours a day.

At night, avoid a pitch-black environment.  Create a natural night cycle by using low intensity lights, such as lunar LED light.  The low level lights do not disturb the nocturnal organisms, and give the environment a more realistic feel, and it gives you the opportunity to display the activity of your aquatic pets.  Your aquarium will need roughly 12 hours of night.

A consistent day/night cycle is vital to aquarium lighting, so using a lighting timer is a great idea.