Planning Out Your Freshwater Aquarium Lighting System
Having gained knowledge of the best lighting system to accommodate your aquarium, the next thing you should know is the proper implementation of the lighting system inside your aquarium.
Ideally, freshwater aquarium lighting should be between 5500 to 6700 degrees Kelvin, a range that is warmer than that of the range for marine lighting and is therefore good for natural plants, and will help in the reduction of algae growth.
Such a range will also magnify the beauty of your fish and your aquarium in general.
For freshwater aquariums with a fish-only setup, shorter hours of lighting will suffice.
However, if you are harboring live plants, you might want to maintain longer lighting hours.
Fish only set-ups can do with six to 12 lighting hours per day, while aquariums with natural plants need at least 10 to 12 lighting hours per day.
However, you need to be careful when extending the lighting hours of your aquarium as it could lead to excessive algae growth, a rise in water temperature and faster water evaporation.
It is important to maintain consistency in lighting schedules, so that your tank adjusts to a daily lighting routine.
It's best to purchase a timer for this purpose.
Also, the lighting system you establish for your freshwater aquarium will differ depending on the various organisms in your tank.
If you have a fish-only setup, lower wattage fluorescent light bulbs would suffice, but if you have plants along with your fish, then it might be wiser to get a light bulb with higher wattage as light is a key element to photosynthesis, or the food-making process in plants and if you do not want your plants dead before dawn, you have to take that into consideration.
Proper photosynthesis can only occur with intense full spectrum lighting.
Light also provides the 'power' needed for a lot of biological and chemical operations.
Fluorescent bulbs can provide enough light for the plants, but you might need to use multiple tubes, depending on the size of your tank.
Research on the type of plants you have and their lighting needs will provide answers here - some will be fine with less, some will do better with more.
Light bulbs with higher wattage, meaning they give off more light and heat, are not suitable for small aquariums.
They should preferably be used in tanks containing at least 150 to 200 liters of water.
Combining a couple of different lighting systems will often add to the ambiance of your tank as well as improve its environment.
For example an actinic bulb, when used in conjunction with other full spectrum bulbs, would greatly help in the photosynthetic process of freshwater plants and the health of marine corals and invertebrates.
Choosing the most appropriate lighting system is important for the propagation of organisms -either fish or plant -in your aquarium.
Ideally, freshwater aquarium lighting should be between 5500 to 6700 degrees Kelvin, a range that is warmer than that of the range for marine lighting and is therefore good for natural plants, and will help in the reduction of algae growth.
Such a range will also magnify the beauty of your fish and your aquarium in general.
For freshwater aquariums with a fish-only setup, shorter hours of lighting will suffice.
However, if you are harboring live plants, you might want to maintain longer lighting hours.
Fish only set-ups can do with six to 12 lighting hours per day, while aquariums with natural plants need at least 10 to 12 lighting hours per day.
However, you need to be careful when extending the lighting hours of your aquarium as it could lead to excessive algae growth, a rise in water temperature and faster water evaporation.
It is important to maintain consistency in lighting schedules, so that your tank adjusts to a daily lighting routine.
It's best to purchase a timer for this purpose.
Also, the lighting system you establish for your freshwater aquarium will differ depending on the various organisms in your tank.
If you have a fish-only setup, lower wattage fluorescent light bulbs would suffice, but if you have plants along with your fish, then it might be wiser to get a light bulb with higher wattage as light is a key element to photosynthesis, or the food-making process in plants and if you do not want your plants dead before dawn, you have to take that into consideration.
Proper photosynthesis can only occur with intense full spectrum lighting.
Light also provides the 'power' needed for a lot of biological and chemical operations.
Fluorescent bulbs can provide enough light for the plants, but you might need to use multiple tubes, depending on the size of your tank.
Research on the type of plants you have and their lighting needs will provide answers here - some will be fine with less, some will do better with more.
Light bulbs with higher wattage, meaning they give off more light and heat, are not suitable for small aquariums.
They should preferably be used in tanks containing at least 150 to 200 liters of water.
Combining a couple of different lighting systems will often add to the ambiance of your tank as well as improve its environment.
For example an actinic bulb, when used in conjunction with other full spectrum bulbs, would greatly help in the photosynthetic process of freshwater plants and the health of marine corals and invertebrates.
Choosing the most appropriate lighting system is important for the propagation of organisms -either fish or plant -in your aquarium.
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