The Ultimate Aquarium Lighting Guide
Proper lighting is essential for setting up a good aquarium. Every aquarium needs a hood, a glass canopy, and light in order to:
- reduce water evaporation
- help maintain a consistent water temperature
- keep out normal household pollutants
- keep the fish from jumping out (and the cat from jumping in)
- provide necessary light needed for fish
- enhance the colors of the fish and make the aquarium more attractive
- provide more visibility of the fish tank
- allow for photosynthesis in live plants.
There are three main types of lighting available for aquariums: incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, and LED (Light Emitting Diode) systems. There is a fourth kind, specialized power compact lights, that are very strong and can penetrate the water to large depths. However, these are only used for very large aquariums.
Incandescent Aquarium Light
Incandescent bulbs are the cheapest light for an aquarium. However, they produce more heat and less natural light. Incandescent bulbs should only be used for 10 – gallon fish tanks and smaller.
Fluorescent Lights
Fluorescent lights produce a more natural light and much less heat. The fixtures for fluorescent tubes are also much more flexible and will allow ample light for your aquarium. Florescent lights are most commonly built into fish tank covers.
LED Lights
The most expensive lighting for your fish tank is LED lights. However, LED have much lower energy consumption, low heat emission, and a very long life. They also come in a large variety of colors which can give your tank a groovy look.
Planted Aquarium Lighting
If you have an aquarium with live plants, you should only use a full spectrum fluorescent bulb or LED lighting. Fluorescent lighting best simulates the light given off by the sun. Intense lighting, which plants grow best with, can be increased by using bulbs that emit more watts. The best light spectrum for aquarium plants can be achieved by increasing the lighting to 60 watts of fluorescent lighting for every 12 inches of tank length. While more expensive to purchase, fluorescent lights are less expensive to operate.
While there are some LED lights that can support plant growth, they mostly compatible with only low to mid light plants. There are a few LED lights that support high light plant growth, but they are very expensive.
If you want to purchase an LED planted aquarium light, you should choose plants from the following list of the best Low light aquarium plants for LED lights:
Low Light Aquarium Plants
- Anubias
- African Water Fern (Bolbitis heduelotii)
- Crypts (Cryptocoryne wendtii)
- Green Hygro (Hygrophila polysperma)
- Java Moss
- Marimo ball (Aegagropila linnaei)
- Sunset Hygro
- Water wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
While the majority of fish enjoy a bright light that emulates the shining sun, there are some fish that prefer darker waters. If you have a multi-fish aquarium, it is important to provide plants and large rocks that allow fish to hide under if they do not prefer the bright light.
