Shedding A Light On Aquarium Lighting
In an aquarium tank, there are numerous elements that must mesh together perfectly for life to be sustained. Nature itself is immaculate, indescribable and in trying to replicate it the same precautions must be taken that have evolved on the planet through the millennia. An aquarium is a life-like ocean, self-sustaining, interconnected ecosystem of water, fish and plants. It is complicated and it is fragile, but in the end, one of the most important pieces of the puzzle is not that complicated or that fragile at all. Just like humanity is dependent on the sun, so are the smallest fish and the simplest plants. In an aquarium, the sun must be mimicked or else life will fail. For this reason, aquarium lighting is essential in any tank, whether salt-water or fresh-water, regardless of how many fish or plants are contained within it. Any aquarium owner must educate him or her self on the type of aquarium lighting available, and how best to use it to bring about optimal results.
Lighting The Way
For plants, photosynthesis is the process of life, and light begins that process. Plants are able to transform light into energy, resulting in the creation of oxygen as a byproduct, a crucial element in any aquarium. However, algae species rely on light too, and in a tank algae is the enemy. An aquarium becomes a delicate balance of plants, nutrients, light and carbon dioxide. If the balance is off too much algae will grow or the plants and fish life will be unable to thrive. Aquarium lighting is measured in everything from watts to Kelvin, each measurement referring to a different type of energy output. However, each of these measurements is essential to balancing the aquarium lighting perfectly.
However, some tanks are fish-only tanks, and therefore, the aquarium lighting needs to focus solely on the fish. The specific requirements of plant life will not factor into this arrangement. This type of aquarium lighting is often sold in packages for beginners. The package comes complete with lights, bulbs and attachments. However, these packages are usually designed for beginner fish such as guppies and goldfish. Advanced fish life will still require advanced aquarium lighting. With specialized bulbs, these lighting systems are rather self-sufficient. Hoods help to concentrate the light on specific spectrums, and in the end the natural day-night cycle of light can be replicated in any aquarium. Specific bulbs can also be substituted in to change the color of the light. While these do not directly affect the fish, they help to alter the color of the aquarium environment bringing out the beauty of the fish and pleasing the onlooker.
