Can You Use Plant Grow Lights for Aquariums?
Aquariums vary from the simple bowl and fish to expanded filtration systems and lighting. Using grow lights with aquariums has become popular with people who grow their own aquarium plants for the health and enjoyment of the aquarium, rather than using the plastic varieties. Does this Spark an idea?
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Benefits
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The main benefit to using a grow light in an aquarium is the extra light added for growing live plants. The extra heat and light from grow lights also benefits the fish and introduces a natural type of light into the aquarium.
Warning
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One thing to remember before adding a grow bulb to your aquarium is that algae is a plant also. A grow bulb quickens the growth of algae, so special care will be needed to prevent algae from overgrowing the aquarium, making the water look green and the fish hard to find.
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Live Plants or Artificial
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If you are using artificial plants, then a grow bulb is not necessary. That is a benefit to using this type of plant. However, artificial plants can be expensive and fade with use, making it necessary to replace them regularly. When growing live plants, you don't have to have a grow bulb, but the light the specialized bulb offers encourages plants to flourish.
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References
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