How to Install Lights in an Aquarium Canopy

Proper lighting is critical to successful fish keeping.

Adding a canopy to your aquarium serves a number of important purposes. For one thing, having a secure closure on the top of the tank prevents curious fish from jumping out of the aquarium. The lights in an aquarium canopy also provide important nutrients for the live plants in your aquarium, while making the tank more appealing to the eye. The lights in an aquarium canopy are designed to be long-lasting, but it is still important to know when, and how, to change them.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Remove the aquarium canopy and examine it each time you do a water change or service the aquarium. The florescent bulbs in the aquarium canopy do not burn out all at once, but they do lose brightness over time. When the lights begin to dim, they can no longer provide the illumination needed by the live plants in your tank. Check the ends of the florescent tubes for any dark areas, or spots that appear to be burned. These are signs that the light needs to be replaced.

2. Measure the length of the florescent light carefully. Do not assume that all aquarium canopies use the same size light bulbs. Hexagonal and square tanks use a different size bulb than traditional long tanks.

3. Remove the aquarium canopy from the top of the aquarium and unplug it from the electrical outlet. Turn the canopy over so the lights are facing up, and place the canopy on a solid work surface.

4. Grasp the first bulb by one end and pull it straight toward you. Pull the old tubes out and set them aside.

5. Insert the prongs from the new florescent tube into the slots on the right hand side of the canopy. Rotate the tube until those prongs are seated in the slots.

6. Slide the prongs on the left hand side of the florescent tube into the slots in the aquarium canopy. Push down on the tube until it snaps into place. Replace the remaining bulbs in the canopy the same way. It is best to replace all of the bulbs in an aquarium canopy at the same time.

Tips & Warnings

• Write the date the bulbs were replaced on your calendar.

• Check the condition of your canopy lights once a week, especially if you have live plants in your tank.

References

• First Tank Guide: Aquarium Lighting