Lighting Requirements for a Saltwater Aquarium

Proper lighting makes saltwater aquariums more attractive.

When maintaining a saltwater aquarium, proper lighting is imperative to the health of your exotic fish. Exotic marine fish that generally inhabit a saltwater aquarium are native to subtropical and tropical waters, where sunlight is predominant and water is warm.

Aquarium Hoods

Most saltwater aquarium equipment is sold separately and not as a packaged kit. The hood is the apparatus in which the lighting is contained. Make sure that the hood you select has proper ventilation, because aquarium light bulbs emit heat.

Fluorescent

The basic saltwater aquarium tank holds about 60 gallons and requires a minimum of two fluorescent bulbs. The typical combination is one 10,000K bulb and one actinic blue bulb, the light of which penetrates deeper into the water.

Metal Halide

Halide bulbs are used primarily on saltwater reef aquariums with corals. The metal halide bulb possesses a single point of light, similar to sunlight. Metal halide bulbs create a lot of heat and use a lot of energy. They need to be replaced frequently--usually every six months--but are not expensive. Place metal halide lights at least 6 inches above the tank.

References

• Saltwater Aquarium Lighting: Fish Tank Lights
• PetPlace.com; Lighting Your Saltwater Aquarium; Barbie Bischof