Lights & Lighting Systems Information
Although there are a few basic guidelines to follow when deciding on which and how much lighting to use, each aquarist has to evaluate what is in their tank, and then research all the lighting options available to choose one that is best for particular saltwater system.
Coral lighting
Coral lighting - How corals grow. Explains the relationship between lighting and coral growth, how lighting changes affect corals.
Coral lighting - How corals grow. Explains the relationship between lighting and coral growth, how lighting changes affect corals.
Saltwater Aquarium Lights and Lighting
Saltwater aquarium lighting isn't really all that difficult, once you understand what each type of lighting has to offer. From fluorescent to metal halide to power compacts, the basics are explained so you can make a wise choice for your tank.
Saltwater aquarium lighting isn't really all that difficult, once you understand what each type of lighting has to offer. From fluorescent to metal halide to power compacts, the basics are explained so you can make a wise choice for your tank.
Power Compact (PC) Lights
PC (Power Compact) lights offer a number of advantages over VHO fluorescent and even Metal Halide for reef tank lighting. Relatively cool running, compact in size and reasonably priced, these lights could solve your reef tank lighting problems.
PC (Power Compact) lights offer a number of advantages over VHO fluorescent and even Metal Halide for reef tank lighting. Relatively cool running, compact in size and reasonably priced, these lights could solve your reef tank lighting problems.
Kelvin Ratings of Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Kelvin ratings of aquarium fluorescent bulbs vary quite a bit. Here is what they mean and how they pertain to saltwater aquarium lighting.
Kelvin ratings of aquarium fluorescent bulbs vary quite a bit. Here is what they mean and how they pertain to saltwater aquarium lighting.
Reef System Lighting - What to Buy and Why
Don Carner discusses about Reef System Lighting: What to Buy & Why - Using Pre-Manufactured Hoods on Reefs, the pros and cons of using Metal Halides and Power Compacts.
Don Carner discusses about Reef System Lighting: What to Buy & Why - Using Pre-Manufactured Hoods on Reefs, the pros and cons of using Metal Halides and Power Compacts.
Before You Buy Reef Tank Lighting
Most novice and many experienced saltwater aquarists are hesitant to start a reef tank or upgrade their Fish Only or Fish Only with Live Rock tank to a reef tank because they don't understand the lighting requirements of corals and/or they believe the high price of reef tank lighting is out of their reach. Here is a simple explanation of how much lighting you will need for your reef aquarium and …
Most novice and many experienced saltwater aquarists are hesitant to start a reef tank or upgrade their Fish Only or Fish Only with Live Rock tank to a reef tank because they don't understand the lighting requirements of corals and/or they believe the high price of reef tank lighting is out of their reach. Here is a simple explanation of how much lighting you will need for your reef aquarium and …
Types of Aquarium Light Fixtures
With all aquarium light systems available today, it can be a headache trying to decide which one is best for your reef tank. Each type of lighting fixture has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you are planning to have reef grade lighting you might want to read ...
With all aquarium light systems available today, it can be a headache trying to decide which one is best for your reef tank. Each type of lighting fixture has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you are planning to have reef grade lighting you might want to read ...
Top Aquarium Lighting Products
This is the place to shop for and compare prices on all kinds of top quality basic saltwater and advanced reef aquarium lights and lighting products, such as power compact fixtures, ballast and retrofit kits, standard light hoods, and replacement bulbs.
This is the place to shop for and compare prices on all kinds of top quality basic saltwater and advanced reef aquarium lights and lighting products, such as power compact fixtures, ballast and retrofit kits, standard light hoods, and replacement bulbs.
Lighting Fundamentals
Don Carner discusses The Fundamentals of Fluorescent Tubes - Understanding Tube Wattages, CRI and Kelvin Ratings. If you are going to spend your hard earned money on tank lighting, you might as well know what you are getting.
Don Carner discusses The Fundamentals of Fluorescent Tubes - Understanding Tube Wattages, CRI and Kelvin Ratings. If you are going to spend your hard earned money on tank lighting, you might as well know what you are getting.
Lighting Poll
Participate in this quick poll created by your About Guides to tell them and other aquarists what type of lighting you use, or just view the polling results to get a concensus of which types are most popular.
Participate in this quick poll created by your About Guides to tell them and other aquarists what type of lighting you use, or just view the polling results to get a concensus of which types are most popular.
Coral Lighting
Don Carner discusses about Coral Lighting: How Changes in Lighting Effects Corals - Avoiding Sudden Changes in Lighting - About SPS Corals.
Don Carner discusses about Coral Lighting: How Changes in Lighting Effects Corals - Avoiding Sudden Changes in Lighting - About SPS Corals.
Tank Lighting - VHO Fluorescents
A discussion about VHO (very high output) fluoresecent lights and if they may be right for your aquarium system or not.
A discussion about VHO (very high output) fluoresecent lights and if they may be right for your aquarium system or not.
Tank Lighting - Reef Systems
Tips and information about choosing lights for a reef tank system.
Tips and information about choosing lights for a reef tank system.
Fish-Only Tank Lighting
Don Carner discusses Fish-Only Tank Lighting Requirements - Using Pre-Manufactured Light Hoods - A Basic Outline of Various Methods Used for Reef Aquaria Lighting.
Don Carner discusses Fish-Only Tank Lighting Requirements - Using Pre-Manufactured Light Hoods - A Basic Outline of Various Methods Used for Reef Aquaria Lighting.
FAQs & How To's
Are you looking for some basic answers to questions you may have about getting started, setting up, maintaining, or other things you want to know about keeping a saltwater fish aquarium or reef tank system? Browse these FAQ and How To resources.
Are you looking for some basic answers to questions you may have about getting started, setting up, maintaining, or other things you want to know about keeping a saltwater fish aquarium or reef tank system? Browse these FAQ and How To resources.
DIY Hood & Lighting Projects
Link resources to do-it-yourself projects for all types of aquarium lighting set ups from fish-only to reefs tanks.
Link resources to do-it-yourself projects for all types of aquarium lighting set ups from fish-only to reefs tanks.
Top Metal Halide & PC Retrofit Kits
In the constant quest for more wattage in the same space, many saltwater aquarists choose to upgrade their existing fluorescent lighting to either Power Compacts or Metal Halides, rather than buying a complete new hood or canopy. There are even retrofit kits made to upgrade Eclipse tanks.
In the constant quest for more wattage in the same space, many saltwater aquarists choose to upgrade their existing fluorescent lighting to either Power Compacts or Metal Halides, rather than buying a complete new hood or canopy. There are even retrofit kits made to upgrade Eclipse tanks.
Top Metal Halide Fixtures
Metal halide lighting is most often the best choice for those keeping stony corals and other marine life that requires intense elimination. Relatively small for their size and the amount of light they put out makes these top choice units very popular. They are well designed, add a stylish look to any aquarium, and most even include lunar lights.
Metal halide lighting is most often the best choice for those keeping stony corals and other marine life that requires intense elimination. Relatively small for their size and the amount of light they put out makes these top choice units very popular. They are well designed, add a stylish look to any aquarium, and most even include lunar lights.
Top Fluorescent, VHO, PC and Metal Halide Ballasts
Top Fluorescent, VHO, Power Compact and Metal Halide ballast Picks for when you are ready to either upgrade or create your aquarium lighting system. Price comparisons for Coralife, Electro-Lite, Perfecto, IceCap, and Visi-Lux replacement ballasts and complete ballast kits.
Top Fluorescent, VHO, Power Compact and Metal Halide ballast Picks for when you are ready to either upgrade or create your aquarium lighting system. Price comparisons for Coralife, Electro-Lite, Perfecto, IceCap, and Visi-Lux replacement ballasts and complete ballast kits.
Artificial Lighting
From Patrick Timlin's Freshwater Aquaria site, while mostly aimed at aquarists, this article by Richard Sexton is also applicable to other people interested in growing things under artificial light.
From Patrick Timlin's Freshwater Aquaria site, while mostly aimed at aquarists, this article by Richard Sexton is also applicable to other people interested in growing things under artificial light.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
From Don Klipstein's Lighting Info page, not aquarium related, but has some good basic information about Compact Fluorecents in general compiled Don Klipstien and Samuel M. Goldwasser.
From Don Klipstein's Lighting Info page, not aquarium related, but has some good basic information about Compact Fluorecents in general compiled Don Klipstien and Samuel M. Goldwasser.
Lighting and the Aquarium
From AquaLink, some basic tips from Sam McDonald in reference to freshwater tanks, but the information can be applied to saltwater fish-only tanks as well.
From AquaLink, some basic tips from Sam McDonald in reference to freshwater tanks, but the information can be applied to saltwater fish-only tanks as well.
Lighting FAQ's
From the FINS Reefkeeper FAQ's section, General, Detailed and Data Discussions about reef aquarium lighting.
From the FINS Reefkeeper FAQ's section, General, Detailed and Data Discussions about reef aquarium lighting.
Reef Aquarium Coral Propagation Lab Lighting Report
GARF has been conducting tests of many reef aquarium products for years. They claim their success in coral propagation is greatly contributed to by using Triton and Blue Moon tubes, and give their reports on these lights.
GARF has been conducting tests of many reef aquarium products for years. They claim their success in coral propagation is greatly contributed to by using Triton and Blue Moon tubes, and give their reports on these lights.
Sam's Fluorescent Lamps FAQ's
From Don Klipstein's Lighting Info page, not aquarium related, but you can find answers to commonly asked questions about Fluorescent Lamps, Ballasts, and Fixtures from Samuel M. Goldwasser. Content includes great detail about their principles of operation, circuity, troubleshooting, and repair.
From Don Klipstein's Lighting Info page, not aquarium related, but you can find answers to commonly asked questions about Fluorescent Lamps, Ballasts, and Fixtures from Samuel M. Goldwasser. Content includes great detail about their principles of operation, circuity, troubleshooting, and repair.
Summary of Ligthing Costs
From The Cyber Reef Guru site by Thomas Sasala, a chart listing various types of lighting systems reflecting the cost analysis on each one. To access this info, click on the Reef Lighting link on Thomas' Home Page, then go to "The Summary of Comparison" link.
From The Cyber Reef Guru site by Thomas Sasala, a chart listing various types of lighting systems reflecting the cost analysis on each one. To access this info, click on the Reef Lighting link on Thomas' Home Page, then go to "The Summary of Comparison" link.