Basic Aquarium Lighting Tips
As a newbie to aquarium keeping, there are many things that you have to learn about before you should even attempt to run your tank and put living organisms in it. If you want to ensure that your pets or plant life lives well in your aquarium, you have to keep track of water quality, the right temperature, and, perhaps most importantly, the lighting. Here are some basic aquarium lighting tips for you:
1. In general, the bigger the aquarium, the more powerful your lighting should be. Water and the other things in your tank absorb light, so to illuminate a larger tank, you will need a higher intensity light source. Some high-intensity sources include metal halide and VHO (very high output) lighting.
2. Remember that saltwater and freshwater aquariums will need different lighting conditions. Most freshwater configurations can do with fluorescent lighting, while saltwater tanks may need more intense lighting.
3. Timing and cycling are important, especially when it comes to plant life. Make sure to research on the organisms you house in your aquarium and try to mimic its optimal lighting conditions by using a timer.
