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Photosynthetic aquarium plants, corals, or invertebrates will not do well without the proper spectrum and intensity of light. Choose an aquarium lighting setup that comes as close as possible to mimicking natural light. In recent years, improvements in artificial illumination have made this process less taxing.
When making your lighting selection, keep in mind that all aquarium lights produce heat. More intense lighting systems usually need more extensive cooling systems. Your aquarium has to be kept in a climate-controlled area, regardless of how large it is or what kind of lighting it has, to assist keep the temperature from fluctuating too much.
How Long Should Aquarium Lights Be On
Fish-only Aquariums: ornamented with marine life, plastic vegetation, seaside debris, and reef rock
Typical Lighting System: Lighting options include the standard fluorescent, the T-5 fluorescent, and the LED. A fish-only aquarium’s lighting needs are mostly ornamental, so you may choose whichever aquarium light fixture matches your needs and your budget. Aquariums need special lighting, so be sure to choose something made for that purpose, since regular light bulbs may not be able to handle the humidity and corrosive salts found in aquarium water.
Freshwater Planted Aquariums: ornamented with fish, plants, driftwood, and/or other marine life
Typical Lighting System: Fixtures that use standard fluorescent, T-5 HO fluorescent, metal halide/high-intensity discharge, or light-emitting diodes are all viable options.
The vast majority of commercially accessible freshwater aquatic plants are originally from the shallows of rivers in Central and South America. These aquatic plants nevertheless get full-spectrum light even though the water is typically contaminated or muddy. Therefore, choose aquarium light lights with full-spectrum output created to encourage the development of live aquatic plants regardless of the type you want to buy. Commonly referred to as “plant lights,” these specialty light fixtures provide light mostly in the red spectrum.
The heat output of plant-specific lighting systems is often higher than that of fish-specific lighting. Raising the light fixture above the cover might help air flow more freely if it’s too cramped. Additionally, a little cooling fan may be employed to effectively move heat away from the fixture.
Marine Reef Aquariums: Including marine life, reef organisms, corals, and living rock.
Typical Lighting Systems: Light bulbs might be T-5 HO, Metal Halide/HQI, or LED.
Corals and other invertebrates that use photosynthesis to sustain themselves depend on light for the vast majority of their dietary needs. It’s important to note that light needs vary greatly amongst different species. Many species of SPS corals thrive in the natural at depths of 15 to 65 feet, where the light is exceptionally strong. Large polyp stony (LPS) corals, on the other hand, prefer lower light levels and are more common at depths of 65 feet or higher.
Heat is frequently produced in large quantities by aquarium lighting systems intended for corals with greater light needs. Excessive heat accumulation will shorten the lifespan of your reef aquarium light fixture, therefore it’s necessary to supply some type of extra cooling. A fan may be used to dissipate the surplus heat, but an HVAC system is the most effective option. In severe circumstances, a water chiller for an aquarium may be needed to combat the increasing water temperature from direct radiation heat.
Selecting low-light-needing corals and invertebrates, as well as non-photosynthetic invertebrates, may significantly reduce cooling needs. That way, you may use aquarium lighting systems that produce less light (and heat) without sacrificing the ability to meet the corals’ photosynthetic requirements.
Innovations in Lighting: Electronic ballasts have been a game-changer in modern aquarium lighting systems, allowing for more efficient lamp starter, reduced heat output, and longer lamp life. The aquarium lighting industry has also advanced, with newer bulbs and lights providing more possibilities in terms of light spectrum and intensity. Most significantly, modern aquarium lighting systems are quite near to simulating the illumination conditions that wild animals would encounter.
Options for Energy-Efficient Lighting: The most cutting-edge fluorescent lighting is T-5 High Output (HO) Fluorescent Systems, which boast both a high light output and a small footprint. T-5 HO fluorescent lights are just 5/8″ in diameter, yet they provide almost twice as much light as regular fluorescent bulbs. These compact bulbs are not only more efficient but also allow for a greater number to be placed in the same area.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) Light Fixtures: LED lighting fixtures, formerly seen as somewhat of a novelty in the aquarium hobby, are now generally accepted as the standard. However, LEDs continue to be misunderstood and misrepresented. LEDs produce light in a very different way from traditional light sources. When electrons or photons that have been excited or released flow through a semiconductor material, the substance glows. For a genuinely efficient alternative to aquarium lighting, consider using electroluminescence, a unique form of light creation that uses MUCH less energy and produces MUCH less heat.
To ensure the LED light fixture is adequate for sustaining photosynthetic aquatic life, hobbyists should check the PAR values listed on the packaging. The term “photosynthetically active radiation,” or PAR, refers to a particular region of the light spectrum (between 400 and 700 nm) that photosynthetic organisms use during photosynthesis to create food and energy.
You may get PAR data on aquarium LED light fixtures from many different brands. However, not all manufacturers will supply PAR information in the same manner because of the relative difficulty of correctly describing light fixture PAR values and the absence of standardization. Keep in mind that PAR values change at various depths and distances from the light source when determining LED appropriateness for your aquarium layout. That is to say, depending on how near or distant the coral or plant is positioned from the LED light source, the PAR value readings will vary, making it possible for a single LED fixture to sustain several species with varying light needs.
Therefore, it is a disservice to LED fixtures to take a “one size fits all” approach to learning about them. You may get the most out of your LED setup by switching to a more three-dimensional approach to lighting, taking use of the PAR output of your LED lamp by strategically placing animals, and adding more LED lights as needed.
Conclusion: Lighting your aquarium like the outside can help your fish and plants thrive and create a more authentic ecology. Both the upfront and ongoing costs must be considered when making a decision on a lighting system. To save money on your electric bill and time spent changing light bulbs, think about installing energy-efficient lighting. In most cases, it is preferable to shell out a little more cash up front in order to save money in the long run on operational and maintenance expenses.
