Goldfish Blog

Aquarium lighting fixtures serve to make your tank as close to nature as possible. Fish and plants need the proper amount of lighting to grow and stay healthy. It’s important to pick the right kind of light that promotes growth and health for the marine life in your aquarium.

When selecting the type of aquarium lighting to use, you need to consider the following: (1) whether your aquarium is freshwater or saltwater, (2) whether your aquarium has fish only or fish and plants, (3) the depth of your aquarium, and (4) the specific lighting needs of your fish and/or plants

Incandescent bulbs

Incandescent bulbs, including halogen lamps, are the least expensive light source. However, they are also the least energy-efficient and generate a lot of heat. The high heat output of incandescent bulbs promotes algae growth that can upset the environment of your aquarium. It’s best to use incandescent light sources for terrariums and fish bowls that contain only low light organisms.

Fluorescent lamps

The most popular kind of aquarium lighting fixture is the fluorescent lamp. Fluorescent lamps are very suitable for aquarium lighting and are readily available. There are four kinds of fluorescent lights, each suited for a different environment: Power Compact (PC), Normal Output (NO), High Output (HO), and Very High Output (VHO).

PC bulbs are very energy-efficient and versatile. They can be used for both freshwater and saltwater tanks, as well as for aquariums with any kind of organism. However, they’re more expensive than NO lights.

NO lamps provide low intensity aquarium lighting. They’re very affordable, but their use is limited to shallow, freshwater, fish-only tanks. For aquariums that require more intense lighting, it’s best to use HO or VHO lamps.

HO and VHO give off moderate to high intensity light. These lights are good for any kind of freshwater tank. You can also use HO and VHO lights for saltwater tanks that have fish only.

Metal halide lamps

Metal halide lamps are most suitable for tanks with plants, whether they’re freshwater or saltwater. They’re also the best choice for deep aquariums and tanks containing corals and high light organisms. They provide the most intense level of aquarium lighting. However, they’re also the most expensive of all aquarium lighting fixtures.

As well as providing proper lighting there are also many aquarium accessories you may need. By matching the right kind of lighting to your particular aquarium setup, you’ll be able to provide the best environment that allows your fish to lead happy, healthy lives.