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The type of aquarium lighting you use depends on the type of aquarium that you plan to have. This could be saltwater, freshwater, fish-only, reef or planted. Different lighting may have a different color spectrum. This lets you chose appropriate lighting that will enhance your other decorative items.

It is important to understand some basics of aquarium lighting in order to get a successful lighting environment. There are a number of decisions that you have to take into consideration. The size of the tank, filtration, circulation and lighting styles are all things that have to be considered. When you light the tank, your goal is to create the natural environment as closely as possible so that the fish are not stressed. The fish need their natural cycles of day and night to remain in good health. They would obviously feel very uncomfortable under very bright lights or very dim ones.

Lunar LED lights are available for night lighting. It is rarely pitch black in the open ocean because it is lit by low-intensity moonlight. There many sea creatures that require different types of lighting according to the part of the sea in which they live. If the aquarium organisms come from shaded regions where they get light indirectly then they won’t need twelve hours of sunlight. However, other creatures that live in the shallow tropical areas get intense, full spectrum sunlight for twelve hours of the day. These creatures not only flourish well in bright light but also need it for their overall growth and development.

The corals and invertebrates that live at the bottom of the ocean receive actinic light. These lights produce UV wavelengths at the blue end of the daylight spectrum, which penetrates water even in the deepest regions. Also, corals and marine invertebrates easily absorb it.

There are different varieties of lamps that are required for aquarium lighting based on the type of fish or aquatic organisms that you opt for.

• Incandescent bulbs are tungsten-filament bulbs that are used in homes and lamps. They also include halogen lamps. They are not calibrated for aquarium use but are sold as aquarium bulbs.
• Fluorescent lighting is the most preferred choice of aquarium hobbyists. These are typically included in aquarium kits. They are the long round tubes that are seen in offices. They provide light over a larger surface than the smaller bulbs and do not heat.
• Power compact fluorescents (PC) are also called compact fluorescents and are the newest technology that is replacing the popular VHO fluorescent systems in many reef aquariums. They take up less space and use less power to produce more intensity.
• Metal halide lamps are the HIDs for your aquarium. These lamps produce intense lighting and are highly prized for their unique quality enabling them to create a shimmering effect. This replicates the natural sunlight in a shallow reef. They are primarily used in saltwater reef tanks where corals, anemones and clams are kept.

Most freshwater fish can survive under any color spectrum range from 5500K to 10000K. Plants can survive with only little more light than the fish tank. They benefit from intense lighting in the aquarium to maintain the symbiotic algae. Thus these are some tips that you can use for aquarium lighting. They are important and go a long way in keeping your fish healthy.

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