Keeping an aquarium is an old-time favorite hobby among a great number of fish enthusiasts. Aside from the beauty it brings to a dull or boring room, taking care of aquatic plants and fishes are also a great way of relieving stress. However, beginners for this kind of pastime have to be guided in setting up and maintaining a tank. An aquarium has to be carefully designed to meet the specific needs of the living organisms inside.
One of the most important elements in a fish tank is the lighting. More than just adding to the overall aesthetics of the aquarium, the light also provides heat for the fishes and helps in the proper photosynthesis of the plants inside. Incandescent light, which is common around the house, may be used in lighting your aquarium. Lamps, ordinary light bulbs and spotlights give off sufficient heat and light to small aquariums. The only disadvantage of using incandescent light is that it gives off more heat than the light it produces leading to temperature problems. If you’re planning to get a medium-sized or a large tank with live plants, it would be better if you purchase fluorescent lights or tube lights made especially for freshwater tanks.
Fluorescent lighting is the most popular choice among hobbyists these days. Aside from the fact that these come in different sizes, these also come in various wattages and are the simplest to install and use on aquariums. You have the option to customize your fish tank the way you wish.
If you are planning to set up a reef tank then you could probably use a metal halide. This gives off more light great for dark areas of the tank like the reef itself. Though it gets hotter than incandescent lights, the heat to light ratio is still better. Another option is the use of high output and very high output fluorescents. As the name suggests, these give off more light than ordinary fluorescents, great for tall or oddly shaped tanks.
So how do you decide which among these would be appropriate for you fish tank? Simple. Follow our simple guidelines and you’ll be picking your fish tank light off the shelf in no time.
- Decide on what fishes and plants to put in your fish tank. Fishes survive even in low light but if you’re planting your tank, you have to make sure you have the proper lighting in order for these to grow and thrive. Lighting greatly affects a plant’s chances of surviving in fish tanks.
- Be aware of your options. How would you decide if you don’t even know what you’re supposed to choose from?
- Consider the size and shape of your tank. If you’re new to the hobby, it is ideal to start with a small tank under 20 gallons. It would be okay to start with artificial plants and use standard fluorescent lighting since it’s the least expensive and the easiest to set up and maintain.
Before setting up your fish tank it’s best to do your homework and find out as much as you can about anything and everything about setting up simple aquariums. As you go along, you’re sure to discover more things and learn how to improve the overall appeal and functionality of your aquarium. It is important to always consider the living conditions of the organisms inside before installing anything on your tank. Make sure that everything harmonizes well and provides a good environment for both plants and fishes. On top of the beauty and aesthetics of your fish tank, it is important to keep in mind the welfare of the fishes and aquatic plants. Enjoy!
Froilan Ong and his partner Jason Ryan is the owner of Freshwater aquarium center. Jason Ryan is an aquarium enthusiast and loves to collect freshwater fish. For more information on how to set up the right Freshwater Aquarium Lighting, visit http://www.freshwateraquariumcenter.com
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