Acrylic Aquarium Lighting

Lighting is a necessary element to the acrylic aquarium, both to mimic light as it would appear in a natural environment and for viewers to see the elements of the aquarium.

Acrylic aquarium lighting also adds brilliance to the display.

Natural daylight from the sun is required to support the animal and plant life in the aquarium. Placement of the aquarium is a factor in the amount of sunlight the aquarium will receive.

Incandescent bulbs

Smaller aquariums can use incandescent bulbs, but a great deal of heat is emitted from them and thus fluorescents are much preferred.

Standard fluorescent bulbs

Aquarium lighting systems have typically been fluorescent bulbs because they emit less heat and use less energy.

Power compacts

An efficient way of lighting your acrylic aquarium is with power compact lights. This light source is more intense than traditional fluorescent bulbs. They don't heat up as much and save on energy.

Metal halide

Metal halide bulbs have been popular as well. Created in the 1960s, these lights are popular for their high intensity light source. These bulbs are more powerful than traditional fluorescents and glow in a wide arc.

The newest rage in acrylic aquarium lighting is the Solaris LED system which replaces metal halide and fluorescent bulbs. These lights burn for 50,000 hours, reducing replacement intervals to nearly six years. LED lights heat up and out of the tank so the water temperature is not disturbed. A chiller is not needed and less strain is placed on the air conditioning system in the space. Built-in microprocessors allow the lights to be automatically set for color differentiations at various times of the day.

Consideration also must be given to the color of the light. Known as "Kelvin," the amount of Kelvin intensity produces different lighting colors in the aquarium.

Lighting varies for freshwater life versus saltwater life.

Light timers can be installed to automate the amount of lighting provide in the aquarium.

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