How to choose the best aquarium lighting for your fish?
Choosing the right type of light for your aquarium can be a daunting task. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
1. Type of Aquarium: Lighting depends on the type of aquarium you want to create. Some examples include a saltwater Reef tank, freshwater planted tank, or a fish only saltwater or freshwater tank.
- Lighting for a reef tank depends on the depth of your tank and what corals (SPS, LPS or mixed-type) you want to include – certain corals need more light than others so be sure to research what corals you want and the placement of them in your tank.
- Freshwater planted tanks generally need a stronger light to achieve each plants required lighting for photosynthesis. Each plant has its own aquarium requirements so knowing what requirements your plants need will help you make the right lighting decision.
- For fish only tanks, lighting is mainly for general viewing as fish do not generally need light. If you are planning to keep a showcasing fish/s you can invest in colour enhancing lights to make your fish’s colours pop.
2. Lighting schedule: Plants and corals require specific lighting schedules to allow for photosynthesis. Generally freshwater plants do not need more than 8 hours of lighting a day and saltwater corals need at least 8 hours per day of strong light. Too much light can cause algae to develop so be prepared to adjust your schedule depending on tank’s variables (e.g. algae bloom or natural sunlight).
What are the different types of Aquarium Lights?
The most popular aquarium lights are:
LED lights: LED lights are the most popular among the aquarium enthusiasts. They are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and produce less heat than other types of lights. They come in a variety of colour spectrums for freshwater planted, and saltwater reef tanks. As technology continues to advance additional features such as customising colour spectrums, schedules, strength and even weather simulation are available through Smart Apps. Some of our lights are in-store pick up only due to their length so visit us at The Tech Den Caboolture, QLD or contact us for more information.
Starting a home aquarium can be challenging. There are lots of factors to consider depending on your aquarium. These include filters, air pumps, heaters, lights, tank care and food. Contact our staff for any questions or concerns you may have about supporting your aquatic pets.
