Without suitable aquarium lighting, the operation of the small biotope cannot be maintained, light and organisms in the tank allows ideal living conditions for the residents. In addition, a beautifully illuminated tank is a wonderfully relaxing eye-catcher in an otherwise subtly illuminated room.

Aquatic plants, like the terrestrial plants, require light in the aquarium for healthy growth and photosynthesis. The fish also need lighting to be able to orient themselves well and thrive. Before purchasing aquarium lighting, seek advice about the optimal light spectrum for your stock of plants and animals: a seawater aquarium requires a different lighting to an Amazonian tank.

You control the biorhythm of your animals and plants by means of the lighting times. It is best to keep the light at a normal daylight length. In order to stop algae, you can schedule an interruption of one to two hours at lunchtime. Ideally, you should simulate dawn and dusk with a dimmer.

The service life of the lighting systems used depends on what lighting is selected and how their long their operating times are over the course of the day. You have the choice:

• Fluorescent tubes are installed with ballasts and offer pleasant lighting for the aquarium animals. They are mounted as backlights in aquarium covers, pendant lights or as beacons. Fluorescent tubes have a lifespan of about 15,000 lighting hours.
• LEDs (light-emitting diode) are becoming increasingly established in lighting equipment thanks to their ongoing development. The small lights with energy-saving luminosity are available as covers, pendant lights and top lights and can generate different light colours and day-night cycles thanks to electronic programming. Depending on the quality of the diodes installed, a service life of approx. 20,000 to 50,000 hours is realistic. Dimmable models are ideal.
• HQL mercury vapour lamps are still occasionally used in fishkeeping lighting and have a lifespan of about 10,000 hours. They have since been replaced by the new generation of HQI light sources.
• HQI metal steam burners are always offered as hanging lamps. HQI burners are preferably recommended for seawater aquariums and last for an average of 12,000 hours.

Discover high-quality aquarium lighting from renowned manufacturers such as  Eheim, Fluval, Hagen and many more in our online shop. In addition to the lighting, you will can also use accessories such as dimmers and reflectors.