Aquarium Lights Explained

Aquarium lights are not only for aesthetic purposes. Their more important function is to help in imitating the natural habitat of fishes and other aquatic animals in your fish tank. Besides, getting the wrong type of lighting fixtures can even harm your fishes, so be careful. Below are the basic things that you might want to know about lighting fixtures for your aquarium.

Lights for Freshwater Fishes
If you have a freshwater aquarium, you really do not have to think much about tank lighting because freshwater fishes can get by perfectly with indirect sunlight. However, if you really want to put light in your fish tank, choose lighting that is within the 5500K to 10000K spectrums.

Lights for Saltwater Fishes
If you have a saltwater aquarium, you need to know the exact lighting needs of the particular fish species that you have. Marine animals have different levels of tolerance for lights. Also, make sure that your lights can mimic day and night conditions to acclimatize the fish to the fish tank.

Lights for Aquatic Plants
If you have corals, sea anemones and other aquatic plants, you will need intense lighting in order to make them grow and thrive healthily. Just remember to put in one aquarium only the aquatic plants and animals with similar lighting needs. This way, you promote their growth and health more effectively.