Freshwater Aquarium Lighting
Fish Only Aquarium Lighting
Fish only freshwater aquariums do not need intense lighting. Some fish even prefer softer lighting and may become shy under intense lighting. Usually the stock fixture that comes with most aquariums is adequate when used with a bulb between 6500K-10000K in color temperature.
Operating the aquarium lighting on a shorter light schedule of only 6-10 hours per day will help deter the growth of nuisance algae.
Since fish are not photosynthetic organisms the choice of lighting is based more on asthetics. Normal output (NO) fluorescent or compact fluorescent (aka power compacts) usually prove to be adequate light sources for fish only aquariums.
Planted Aquarium Lighting
The choice of lighting for a reef tank will have a significant impact upon coral growth and coloration. When selecting a lighting system for a reef aquarium, the main factors to consider are light intensity, spectrum, & tank inhabitant photosynthetic requirements. Read More »