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The most
important factor to consider before purchasing aquarium lighting is
the requirements of the inhabitants you plan on keeping in your
aquarium. Aquarium lighting is the most important component for
supporting photosynthetic invertebrates or plants. Make sure that
the lighting system you purchase will provide adequate light
intensity as well as spectrum of light to meet the needs of your
tank.
Almost all lighting systems are comprised of the same basic
components: a bulb, ballast, socket, and electrical wiring to
connect it all together. Although not required, a good quality
reflector will considerably increase the amount of light that your
tank receives.
All aquarium lighting should be on a timer to regulate the light
schedule. The life cycle of your fish and corals revolve around your
lighting schedule. The photoperiod of your aquarium should not
exceed 10- 12 hours of light per day.
Invertebrates and
corals are classified as low-light, medium-light, and high-light
according to their nutritional needs and their ability to grow.
These different classifications require special lighting types and
wattages. The following recommendations are for an aquarium 2 feet
deep or less:
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Low light
– Use standard fluorescent lighting.
note: many low-light corals and invertebrates have special
feeding requirements and can be difficult to maintain.
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Moderate light
– T5 fluorescent bulb systems of light with an equal mix of
daylight and actinic spectrums.
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High light
– Use intense metal halides with actinic bulbs, and choose a
metal halide bulb with a spectrum that suits your color
preferences.
note: these systems create a large amount of heat, and typically
require water chiller.
Metal Halide bulbs are the best alternative to natural light. Their
efficient light performance and color reproduction in combination
with their relative low cost offers great advantages over all other
light sources.
With the development of the MEGACHROME bulbs we introduced a trend
setting generation of metal halide lamps that is absolutely unique
with regards to their quality and color reproduction. The bulbs are
a result of long term research into individual light sources for
different types of aquariums
With the
POWERCHROME T-5 series GIESEMANN offers the latest
so-called HO, (high output), fluorescent tubes.
These tubes are characterized by very high light
performance and perfect colour reproduction.
The T-5 fluorescent tubes have a diameter of 5/8 inch
therefore “T5” (16 mm) and produce a much more intense
light than the older T-8 tubes.
POWERCHROME T5-tubes are particularly suitable for the
illumination of fresh-water aquariums to achieve lush
plant growth or in marine aquariums for sensitive
invertebrates and photosynthesis-dependent species. We
also recommend the POWERCHROME T5-tubes for those
aquariums that have a greater water depth.
You can achieve the best results if you use the
POWERCHROME T5-tubes together with the MEGACHROME metal
halide bulbs.
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