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Aquarium lighting is one of the most important parts of an aquarium. Not only does it make your tank look good, especially if it is the focal point in the room, as it may also determine the life of your fish, aquarium plants, and your tank as a whole. Factors to consider when buying aquarium lightingThe cost and the aquarium types are the first factors that you should consider when looking at aquarium lighting. Different kinds of aquarium plants have different spectrum specifications which may determine what kind of lighting you need to get. Different spectrums of light are needed by different species of fish that live in different ocean depths. While most tank fish can live in natural light, if you are keeping fish on artificial light, you need to keep the light on for 10 to 12 hours a day. This is a factor to consider if you can do well with replacing a couple of bulbs from time to time or if you want a bulb that lasts longer. For the best lighting and to give the most lifelike color to your fish, you need full spectrum lighting. This is the light source that emits all the wavelengths of the visible spectrum in proportion to that of natural sunlight. Knowing the temperature of your aquarium is likewise important if you want to simulate the different temperatures that fish species are used to.

The color of the temperature changes during different times of the day, and it also changes with different depths. Most aquariums can do with lighting with a Kelvin rating of 5500-6500, which is enough to simulate noonday sun that most tropical fish are used to. Other fish types may need light with higher temperatures such as 10,000K to 20,000 K for healthier growth. Four kinds of aquarium lightingThere are four types of aquarium lights and you can choose among these depending on the budget that you have, the size of your tank, and the kind of fish you want to keep.

The four main types include incandescent, fluorescent, compact, and metal halide lighting. Fluorescent lighting is also another option.

You can actually use a number of bulbs for one tank and mix bulbs and color temps to get your desired aquarium color. This is the recommended lighting for those keeping tropical fish. Compact lighting is the best option if you want to get the best bang for your buck.

They provide the best quality of light and last way longer than fluorescent or incandescent lights. Metal halide lights are also a good option.

They are the best option for tanks with a reef or aquatic plants.

They also emit heat which means that they are useful in tanks that need a certain degree of warmth. However, care must be taken to make sure that the tank is kept in a well-ventilated room.
Jeffry Johnston is a tropical fish store owner and an aquarium expert who likes to help others succeed in raising their fish as well. He is a featured member and guest speaker at many aquarium clubs, as well as having a few very large tanks of his own. To learn more about aquarium lighting and aquarium water treatment , please go to marinedepot.com.

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