Generally, if your aquarium is standing close to a sunny window, you may only require about five hours of artificial lighting per day. However, in direct sunlight, algae growth tends to be excessive, despite the absence of artificial light. For optimal results, the aquarium must be placed in a place where it is not exposed to direct sunlight. Artificial lighting must be operational for at least eight hours daily, however, can remain on for ten to twelve hours to provide a better viewing experience during evenings.
Replacing Incandescent Lights
If you’re still utilizing the outdated incandescent lights, remember, lighting must be at around 25 watts per square footage of water. Incandescent lights are considered superseded for various reasons:
- Incandescent lights are not efficient at penetrating water below twelve inches in most instances and does not light the aquarium evenly.
- They cause extreme heat and can warm the tank water over the water heater’s set temperature, allowing the water to cool down once the lighting is switched off.
- Incandescent lights are very pricey to operate in comparison to LED or fluorescent lights.
- Incandescent light globes have shorter lifespans and can easily break once splashed with water accidentally when switched on.
LED Lights Versus Fluorescent Lights
Another kind of aquarium light available for tanks is compact fluorescent as well as fluorescent lights. When a fluorescent light fixture is utilized, make sure you are using globes specially rated for promoting aquarium plant growth. The light spectrum required for plant growth is completely different to fluorescent lights one would use in your office or kitchen setups. Don’t use fluorescent lighting globes from the hardware store, despite them fitting in the fixture. They are not suitable for growing plants in an aquarium setting. LED lights has made enormous progress in growing of exotic plants. Nowadays they have higher-end fixtures, however even your most cost-effective LED light fixtures made for aquariums will be enough for promoting successful and healthy plant growth in your aquarium. Check out Aquarium Labs for more aquarium-related products and topics. LED lights are the best due to these three reasons:
- They offer excellent light penetration to a level as deep as twenty-four inches without specialized attention.
- The light spectrum of LEDs promotes healthy plant growth, irrespective if you’re buying the most basic and inexpensive fixtures.
- The cost of operating the majority of LED Aquarium lights is fewer than ten percent compared to the operating costs of your average incandescent lighting fixtures, and fewer than thirty percent of the operating costs for most aquarium fluorescent light fixtures.
Recommended Plants For Aquariums
The following list of plants are not the same when you compare them. Some have roots, while other are bunch plants, and a few are bulbs. However, one common feature that they share are their ease of growing in an aquarium setting as well as their beauty.
Amazon sword plant, Anacharis, Cabomba, Satittaria, Nuphar lillies, Hair grass, Vallisneria, Madagascar lace, Indian fern, Ambulia, Aponogeton undulatum, Ludwegia, Hygrophila, Acorus, Myriophyllum, Nitella, Cryptocoryne becketti.