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Aquarium lighting is one of the
most important choices of equipment in a reef or fish only aquarium.
An often overlooked aspect of keeping a healthy fish tank or
reef aquarium tank, your aquariums lighting does not only affect
the coloration of your specimens, but it deals with the timing
of reproduction cycles, the food requirements, and the aquariums
algae tank production.
For aquarium fish, the proper lighting is nescessary to provide
certain nutritional requirements nescessary and it effects the
reproduction cycle. It will directly affect the coloration for
the fish in your aquarium.
In reef tanks with live coral and invertebrates such as anemones
and clams, the proper lighting intensity is required for your
corals or invertebrates to be healthy. Many corals feed using
a system called photosynthesis, and the proper lighting is nescessary
to generate energy and good health. If your corals and invertebrates
do not received enough light for a healthy photosynthesis, they
will do poorly and eventually not survive.
For aquarium fish systems, the
best aquarium lighting is Power Compacts. They come in many sizes
and power ratings.
For begining aquarists who want to enjoy a reef tanks generally,
the new T5 HO (High Output) fluorescent systems and familiar
PC (Power Compact) fluorescent lighting systems are great for
aquarium corals that require low to moderate lighting, such as
leather corals, mushrooms, plants, Xenia and polyps.
For corals requiring intense lighting such as SPS corals,(acropora's
and montipora's), Tridacna Clams, and Carpet Anemones, metal
halide systems, also called HQI systems, are the best route for
success.
Many hobbyists will supplement metal halide lights with T5, VHO,
or powercompact bulbs to simulate a dusk/dawn effect and to add
more blue coloration to the tank. Moonlights can also be
added for nightime viewing and beautiful nightime affects.
Aquatic Connection carries a full line of the best brands of
aquarium lighting below. Choose below and call us if you have
any questions when ordering. We will gladly help you with such
an important choice. |
