When designing a lighting system for any aquarium, we are faced with a multitude of products to choose from. This is due, in part, to the many advancements that have been made in the lighting industry over the past decade. It is important to know the spectrum and intensity of light that is required by the organisms that will be kept in the aquarium prior to designing the lighting system. The various types of lighting systems also differ in price, operating costs, and the amount of heat produced by the bulbs and ballasts. This article will explain the various lighting systems that are offered on the market and their characteristics. A table at the end of the article summarizes this information.

The most common lighting systems available for aquarium use include:

• Incandescent
  
• Fluorescent
  
  • Standard fluorescent
    
  • HO and VHO fluorescent
    
  • Power compact fluorescent
    
• Metal halide
  
• HQI

It is important to remember that the bulbs and ballasts associated with these systems are specific to those systems and cannot be interchanged.

Incandescent

Incandescent bulbs are the typical lights used in the home for general use. An incandescent light consists of a glass bulb with a filament within it. When electricity is passed through the filament, it causes the filament to heat up and glow, producing light. Incandescent lights are very inexpensive, feature long lamp life, and come in a variety of colors. However, their uses in the aquarium hobby are limited due to both the low spectrum of light and the amount of heat produced. Due to these factors, incandescent bulbs are only offered in low wattages, making them useful only on small, fish-only aquariums, which do not require a wide light spectrum or intensity.

Lighting systems requiring ballasts

Other than incandescent, all other aquarium lighting systems require ballasts that have been designed for that specific system. A ballast provides the correct starting voltage and maintains the correct current to the bulb. There are two different types of ballasts available: magnetic and electronic. Electronic ballasts are relatively new to the industry and feature a smaller, cooler running design. Not only do the electronic ballasts produce less heat, they are also more energy efficient and feature a longer bulb life. For example, bulbs used for a planted or reef aquarium with a magnetic ballast system should be replaced after 6 months of operation. However, with an electronic ballast, these same bulbs can be kept in operation for 18 to 24 months without significant losses in spectrum or intensity. Although electronic ballasts are more expensive initially, the energy savings and lower bulb replacement costs are significant over the life of the system.

>> Continued on Page 2 <<

Jump to:  Page 2  Page 3  Page 4  Page 5 Back to Equipment & Water — Overview. Main Menu