Quality lighting is a very important factor for the harmonious development of aquatic vegetation and the life of fish. To maintain the necessary balance, you need to take care of competent lighting of the entire area of the aquarium. Let's figure out what lamps for aquariums are, how to choose the right option and which brand should be preferred.
What do you need
Aquatic plants, like land plants, need a stable source of light. This is due to the process of photosynthesis - the formation of organic substances from inorganic substances in green leaves in the light using carbon dioxide. If you look closely at the surface of plants, you can see small air bubbles on their leaves and stems - this is oxygen released during photosynthesis. The more intense the process of vital activity, the more air bubbles. To start the process of photosynthesis, chlorophyll absorbs the red and blue rays of the spectrum.
When there is insufficient light, the reverseprocess. Plants begin to use oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Nutrients in an environment of oxygen decompose, and heat begins to be released. Therefore, the right lamp for an aquarium for plants is the main factor affecting the he alth and usefulness of the development of living organisms and aquatic plants.
Another important point is the use of inorganic substances in the process of photosynthesis, such as:
- nitrogen;
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- manganese;
- iron.
In order for the soil not to deplete, it is necessary to apply mineral fertilizers. In the case of aquarium plants, top dressings are applied in the form of liquids. Remember that with poor or insufficient lighting, the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the water and the excess of minerals become unclaimed. Photosynthesis will not go on in the absence of the necessary lighting. Therefore, it is very important to take care of all the components of the normal functioning of the vital activity of the plant aquatic world in your aquarium.
Fluorescent lamps
The principle of operation of these lighting devices is the ability of mercury vapor and an inert gas in a sealed flask to charge and emit ultraviolet light, which is converted into visible light using a phosphor.
Fluorescent lamps are capable of emitting the luminous flux necessary for plants to produce organic substances and normal life. This light stimulatesplant growth. The lamp itself is shaped like a tube. Compared to incandescent lamps, it has a more economical power consumption and does not emit such a large amount of heat. The light output of a 20W fluorescent lamp is exactly the same as that of a 100W incandescent lamp. The service life can reach 20,000 hours. After the failure of the lamp, it must be disposed of, since if the integrity of the structure is violated, fluorescent lamps can emit toxic substances that are dangerous to human he alth. The glow of fluorescent lamps is heterogeneous, flickering is visible even to the naked eye. This is due to the lamp being powered by an alternating current source.
Fluorescent lamps for an aquarium can produce a glow of various spectra. Depending on this, the external color manifestation of the light of the lamp changes. Phyto-lamps have a red-blue glow, fluorescent lamps - cold white or warm white.
LED bulbs
An alternative to the fluorescent lamp is the LED lamp. It is possible to convert existing T8 and T5 fluorescent fixtures to LED aquarium lamps. LED life is in the range of 30,000 to 50,000 hours, the light is even, not flickering, since the LEDs are connected to a constant current source. In terms of energy saving, they also benefit. Due to the materials used, LED aquarium lamps are classified as environmentally friendly light sources. The lamp body and the surface of the LEDs do not heat up duringwork.
Most daylight white LED lamps have voids in the spectrum at a wavelength of 480nm. This is exactly the kind of lighting that the pupil of the human eye reacts to. Such a protective function of the body is associated with the prevention of traumatic situations with a sharp increase in light. In this case, the retina and lens are damaged by blue light. Many manufacturers have already made adjustments to the production of LED lamps so that their glow does not harm human vision.
The negative side is the cost of LED lamps. It is an order of magnitude larger than fluorescent ones. LEDs become less bright over time, this is due to their burnout. Depending on the emitted spectrum, you can choose an LED lamp that will give light for different purposes and colors.
Halogen bulbs
This is a type of incandescent lamp that is more durable and energy saving. The quartz cylinder inside the lamp is filled with bromine or iodine halogen vapors. On the side of the base there is a reflective surface, due to which the flow of light is directed in one direction. The base itself is represented by two diodes, the distance between which can be from 3 to 10 mm. Halogen lamps are used for spot lighting in modern interior design.
Halogen lamps are rarely used for aquariums. The reason for the lack of demand for this type of aquarium lighting is the high cost of these lamps and high energy costs.
Rating
To understand which aquarium lampsare the most suitable, consider the rating of lighting fixtures, which was created based on customer reviews. Among the huge variety of aquarium lighting fixtures, the following models stand out in their greater prevalence:
- 7 place. Hagen SunGlo. A fluorescent lamp that emits a spectrum that mimics natural sunlight. Lamp length - 46 cm, power - 15 watts. Price from 400-650 rubles.
- 6 place. Hagen Flora Glo. Medium-bright spectral fluorescent lamp for aquariums. Length - 59 cm, power - 20 watts. Price from 600-900 rubles.
- 5 place. T5 Hailea Extra Reef. Spectral fluorescent lamp. Length - 55 cm, power - 14 watts. Price from 180-500 rubles.
- 4 place. JBL Solar ultra Natur LT 39WT5-HQ 9000K. Wide spectrum fluorescent lamp. Length - 85 cm, power - 39 W.
- 3rd place. Osram T8 Fluora. Phytolamp with an extended ultraviolet spectrum. Emits a pink glow. Length - 60 cm, power 18 watts. Price from 500 to 800 rubles.
- 2nd place. JBL Solar ultra marin day. A fluorescent lamp emitting the daylight spectrum. Length - 74 cm, power - 35 watts. Price from 1300-1700 rub.
- 1 place. Sylvania GRO LUX. Fluorescent lamp with a predominant red and blue glow. Length - 120 cm, power - 36 watts. Price from 700-1100 rubles.
Lamps can be periodically changed or combined. A fluorescent lamp with a red-blue glow can be installed with a fluorescent lamp. LED lamps can complement the main light source.
T5 and T8 lamps
Which lamp to choose for an aquarium in order to determine the characteristics of the lighting device and take into account the nuances of its use? It is necessary to understand the existing model range and understand the fundamental differences in the action of certain options.
The most common type are T8 aquarium lamps. They are presented in a large assortment in stores and have the following characteristics:
- No power surge failures.
- Working time can reach 12000 hours.
- Working power is in the range of 18-36W.
- The amount of mercury in the lamp cavity depends on the size and is 15-25 mg.
- flask diameter 26 mm.
- When powered by alternating voltage, the light changes, so you need to install additional equipment, which is not cheap.
- Low energy saving.
T5 aquarium lamps are a more modern lighting option. The stores do not offer a very large assortment of these new products due to the relatively recent appearance of such lamps and the high price tag for them. More advanced T5 fluorescent lamps for aquariums have the following features:
- No additional hardware required to start and operate the lamp.
- Lifetime - more than 20,000 hours.
- Working power is in the range of 14-35W.
- Light output is 10% higher than T8.
- Energy saving is much higher than T8 lamps. Savings can be up to80%.
- Lamps are smaller with more light output compared to T8.
- The pulsation of the light flux is much lower and almost invisible to the naked eye.
- High cost.
From the comparison it can be seen that T5 lamps are the best lamps for the aquarium, they are bright and easy to use. The problem of energy saving when lighting an aquarium is acute, so the lamp should be on for most of the day. T5 lamps are more practical than T8 aquarium lamps in this respect. Despite this, they are used much less frequently. The reason is the very high cost of T5 lamps compared to T8 lamps.
How to choose a lamp
In order to decide on the choice of a lamp for lighting an aquarium, first you need to choose the right power. If the inhabitants of your aquarium are shade-loving fish and algae that do not need bright light, then the power is calculated based on the rule: 0.2-0.4 W / l.
When illuminated with a lamp with a power of 0.5-0.8 W / l, the plants will feel comfortable, vital processes will proceed stably. This power option is considered standard for most types of aquariums.
If plants in your aquarium are planted very densely and there are a large number of them, then the lamp should have a power of at least 0.8-1 W / l. Otherwise, some of the plants simply will not receive light and eventually die.
If you have decided on the power that should belamp, then now you should think about the type of lighting itself. For plants, a phyto-lamp with a blue-red glow will be more useful. This spectrum of light accelerates the process of photosynthesis, which means it accelerates growth and the production of oxygen. Ultraviolet light purifies water from pathogenic microflora. Fluorescent lamps have a wide spectrum of light - are a universal source of light. You can use several types of lamps at once.
UV lamps
Such lamps are known to kill all pathogenic organisms, so the life cycle of the fish will be longer, they will get sick less often. Ultraviolet purifies water, makes it transparent, prevents the occurrence of turbidity that occurs when plants bloom. This type of radiation is useful for some species of plants and fish. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the process of growth and development is accelerated.
A small aquarium UV lamp will be useless with a large capacity. Rays are simply not able to penetrate to great depths. Therefore, the expediency of installing UV lamps for aquariums of large volumes is not justified. An ultraviolet lamp will not replace your water filter. It will only be able to reduce the manifestation of factors affecting the occurrence of turbidity, but such a lamp is not capable of completely purifying water. It will not replace a fluorescent lamp, which is able to penetrate into the lowest layers of water.
Powerful UV lamps are also placed in special devices called sterilizers. Water passes through the device for several cycles andis cleared of bacteria, small algae, viruses and other elements of pathogenic microflora. The ultraviolet lamp for the aquarium in this case should emit light with a long wavelength of 250 nm, this will control the number of pathogens in fish.
DIY aquarium lighting
The easiest way to make a lamp for an aquarium with your own hands is an LED system. Buying an LED strip is not difficult. For aquarium lighting, it is better to use 5050 brand tapes. They have 55 mm LEDs. The color of the glow can be taken blue-red or red-orange. In addition to the LED lighting, a cold white fluorescent lamp can be installed in the center.
To fix the backlight, you need to build a cover that will be fixed on the sides of the top of the aquarium. PVC material is suitable for this, it is lightweight, inexpensive and easy to process. The height of the lid should be such that not only the LED lighting system, but also the external filtration system can fit there.
Remove the dimensions from the aquarium and transfer the dimensions to the PVC sheet. Cut out the details with a utility knife. We glue the parts, we get a lid box. On the sides on the inside, we glue furniture plastic corners to the walls, they will play the role of fasteners for fixing the lid on the aquarium. We install additional stiffening ribs from PVC sheets. We process all seams with sealant.
Stationary cover useit is necessary to make a hatch for feeding the fish. In this case, you do not have to lift the lid every time. If desired, you can make a cover for the hatch. On one side of the cover, make holes for the wires. Cover the inside of the lid with foil.
Distribute LED strips on the surface of the cover from the inside. Outside, you can decorate the cover with acrylic paint or self-adhesive film.
In conclusion
The he alth of its inhabitants and plants depends on the correct choice of a lamp for lighting an aquarium. If you have chosen the right lighting, then your aquarium will not only look beautiful, but the life of organisms in it will become full and comfortable. Plants will grow and develop, providing the necessary oxygen for the fish.
