Beverly’s Pet Center

Lighting for Aquariums

The options available in aquarium lighting have grown considerably in the last few years. Advances in lighting and filtration have made it easier than ever to keep a reef or live plant system. The large growth in this area has brought about many new types of bulbs and related lighting components.

Color and intensity are important aspects of light we must consider when setting up a new aquarium or upgrading an existing one. Technically, a bulb’s color is rated by temperature (Kelvin) . The higher the temperature of a bulb, the bluer its light will be. A bulb rated at 5000K is the color of midday sun, whereas a bulb rated 10,000k is very blue. Intensity (amount) of light is measured in lumens, but for simplicity we can use a bulb’s wattage to gauge the amount of light it will produce.

Now that we have all our physics in order, lets get down to business. If your aquarium is going to house creatures that do not depend directly on light, the task of how to light the tank is easy. Generally fish do not have much in the way of lighting requirements. The main purpose of lighting on this type of tank is to provide a pleasant view of its inhabitants. Standard florescent hoods with a single bulb may be adequate. On many larger tanks, with widths of 18 or 24 inches, additional lighting may be desired. After you see a well-lighted tank, that old single bulb hood may be in for a replacement.

Most corals, anemones, and plants have much more specific needs when it comes to lighting. These creatures' lives depend upon a process called photosynthesis. In order for this to take place, we must have enough light and it must have the proper color. Many of the newer bulbs (often called tri-chromatic) are manufactured specifically to meet the needs of aquarists, and combine the necessary wavelengths in a single bulb. There are many variations of these bulbs, each having a different overall effect on the color and look of an aquarium. Most of these bulbs provide all the important colors, but they vary in the relative amounts of each. Put simply, a tri-chromatic bulb has a red peak, green peak and a blue peak, but one bulb may have more red and another more blue. The brands we stock at Beverly’s have all been used successfully, so the final decisions as to brand and type may be based on a personal preference for the overall effect they create. At present the Reef-Lite brand bulbs from Ultralife are an excellent choice. New products become available all the time, and at Beverly’s we are always testing the latest and greatest so we can keep you informed.

Florescent bulbs have standard lengths and wattage’s. Higher wattage bulbs are available as indicated in the chart below. They can produce two to three times the output of standard bulbs and we highly recommend their use.

Common Bulb Sizes

Size (approx. length- inches)	wattage standard	wattage HO/VHO
18	15
24	20	40
36	30	95
48	40	110
60		140
72		165

Arc type bulbs are a third alternative in aquarium lighting. Metal Halides are in this family and are now available in daylight (5500 K) and blue (10,000 K) colors. These bulbs come in several different wattage’s, with 175 watt being the most widely used. The best results in reef tanks are obtained with metal halide bulbs. The only drawback is the heat that they produce, necessitating the use of fans in canopy mounted bulbs. Pendant halides are a metal halide bulb/fixture combination that hangs above the tank. No canopy or fans are needed on this lighting configuration. The aquarium has an open style, popular among European hobbyists. Florescent and halides used in combination provide the best in coral and plant growth. In combination they allow the aquarist to fine tune the color to his or her liking. The most frequently used lighting configurations are listed for common tank sizes in the following table.

Common Lighting Configurations

DMH - 175w daylight metal halide TFT - tri-chromatic florescent tube VHO - very high output

Tank Size	Fish Only	Reef / Plant Tank -- Good Lighting	Reef / Plant Tank -- Very Good Lighting
55 gallon - 48 x 13	1 or 2 - 40 watt	2 - 4’ VHO TFT 110w or 1 DMH / 2-40w TFT	4 - VHO TFT 110w or 2 DMH / 2 VHO TFT
100 gallon - 60 x 18	2 to 4 - 40 watt	2 - 5’ VHO TFT - 140w or 2 - DMH	4 - VHO TFT 140w or 2 DMH / 2 VHO TFT
125 gallon - 72 x 18	combination of bulbs 120 - 200 watts total	2 - 6’ VHO TFT 165w or 2 DMH	4 - 6’ VHO TFT 165w or 2-3 DMH / 2 VHO TFT
180 gallon - 72 x 24	combination of bulbs 120 - 250 watts total	2 - 6’ VHO TFT 165w or 2 DMH	4 - 6’ VHO TFT 165w or 3 DMH / 2 VHO TFT

Bulb arrangements are mounted in a canopy that fits over the top of the tank. Common styles are oak, pine or mica. Mica canopies are available in an almost endless variety of colors. Beverly’s stocks most popular sizes and colors of canopies. Custom canopies are available in any size, shape or color to meet your needs.

Florescent bulbs require a component called a ballast to run them. There are two types of ballasts. Tar ballasts are reliable and less expensive. The newer electronic ballasts are more efficient, produce less heat and should extend bulb life. Electronic ballasts cost a little more than tar and have had a few reliability problems up to this time. We are always testing the newest electronic ballasts and stock the best available.

At Beverly’s Pet Center we stock all of the best aquarium lighting supplies and have great discount prices. You will find metal halides, ballasts, fans, moguls, switches and a wide selection of florescent bulbs. We can provide a ready to go system customized to your specifications or help you choose the supplies to do it yourself.