What can be cooked from squid: quick and tasty

The aquarium is a miniature reservoir in which life harmoniously intertwines exotic plants and fish. Their well-being is largely determined by artificial illumination, the quality of which determines the biochemical balance of the underwater world. What should be the correct lighting in an aquarium and can modern LEDs cope with this task? Let's figure it out.

Why does an aquarium need light?

Light in an aquarium is necessary for absolutely all of its inhabitants: fish, plants and bacteria. But to a greater extent, the energy of photons is necessary for plants. When the lighting for the aquarium provides the right level of illumination, greens provide a steady increase in biomass and, therefore, release a large amount of oxygen, without which fish cannot live. For their development, aquatic vegetation uses carbon dioxide and fish waste products (nitrates, phosphates). It turns out a kind of circulation, on the stable operation of which the health of the inhabitants of the aquarium depends. With the help of additional measures: lighting control, timely cleaning of the container, ventilation and biofiltration, a person can create conditions for fish that are even better than in their natural habitat.

How do you know if there is enough light for the inhabitants of the aquarium?

The lack of direct sunlight, which is necessarily present in the natural habitat of all aquatic plants, must be compensated for by light from electric lamps. Otherwise, the bright and colorful life of the aquarium will quickly fade and require drastic rescue measures. In order to prevent a critical situation, you need to monitor the growth of plants from the very first day and look closely at the behavior of the fish.

First of all, the lack of light is determined by a decrease in the intensity of growth of green vegetation: some species stretch out, others freeze in anticipation better conditions... The lack of new shoots leads to a decrease in their production of oxygen. If the aquarium is fully illuminated, then the plants delight with their magnificent appearance, and the fish with their playful behavior. You should never try to slow down the growth of new shoots. Some species of fish love to hide in dense thickets. As a last resort, you can always remove excess greens.

If the aquarist did not react to the slowdown in growth in time, then the next stage will be the darkening of the leaves with the appearance of a bloom of a dark brown hue. Subsequently, lower algae will begin to actively develop. It will be possible to get rid of them by cleaning the aquarium and changing the water frequently only for a while. The only true solution is to fundamentally rebuild the lighting in the aquarium.

Lighting calculation for an aquarium

The principle of "the more light, the better" is not acceptable for an aquarium. An excess of lumens from a lamp is just as undesirable as a lack of them. There are many species of shade-loving fish, as well as aquatic plants that thrive in average light levels. At the same time, some species cannot exist normally without daily bright light. In this regard, the aquarist must select the inhabitants for his mini-reservoir, not only for their attractive appearance, but also taking into account their natural way of life. In addition, when calculating lighting for aquarium plants, you need to take into account:

the geometric dimensions of the aquarium;
type and number of lamps;
the presence of a reflector in the luminaire;
distance from the light source to the surface of the water.

The deeper the aquarium, the fewer useful light particles will reach the bottom. Moreover, visually it may not be noticeable. But bottom vegetation will experience an acute shortage of photons, especially the red spectrum. We will dwell on these nuances in detail in the next section.

The light in the aquarium should be from top to bottom, not from the sides.

An important role in calculating the lighting for an aquarium is played by the type of lamp and lamps installed in it. Most of the inveterate aquarium fish lovers prefer to use fluorescent lamps, taking as a basis the rule: for every liter of water there should be 0.5 watts of power. However, do not forget that the light from the lamps spreads in all directions and even the best reflector will not be able to direct 100% of the photon energy into the water.

A more progressive trend is LED aquarium lighting. LED light sources are compact, durable, have a high luminous efficiency and are available in housings with different types of base. When switching from fluorescent lamps to LED lamps, the power consumption of the latter should be 1.2–1.5 times less. Before calculating LED lighting for your aquarium, there are two important points to keep in mind:

The power of each crystal must be at least 1 W. Only in this way will the energy of light reach the bottom. LED lamps and strips with many small crystals (less than 0.1 W) are capable of brightly illuminating only the upper layer of the water space.
To increase luminous efficiency and significantly reduce the scattering angle of a household LED lamp, it is necessary to dismantle the plastic diffuser.

Artificial light and features of aquarium lighting

Time frame

It is far from always possible to install an aquarium near a window opening, where the energy of the sun's rays is much higher than inside the room. But even under such conditions tropical plants a higher level of illumination is required due to the relatively short daylight hours in our country. The total duration of the aquarium lighting throughout the day should last from 10 to 12 hours. There are three main types of aquarium lighting:

Continuous. It assumes manual or semi-automatic (via a timer socket) turning on and off the backlight with a constant level of illumination for a period of up to 12 hours.
Intermittently. It means turning off the backlight for 30-60 minutes 2 times a day, thus arranging a little rest for the inhabitants of the home reservoir.
Stepped. The best option for illuminating the aquarium, as it creates conditions close to the natural habitat. Reducing and increasing the brightness of the lamps several times during the day simulates partly cloudy weather, increasing the stability of the aquarium as an ecosystem.

Equally important is the creation of a mode of smooth switching on / off of light or the so-called twilight mode, which is necessarily present in wildlife. The transition from bright to dim lighting in the evening hours will avoid stress in aquatic vegetation. In practice, this is realized by installing several lamps of different wattage, powered by different adjustable switches. As a last resort, in 15 minutes. before turning on the backlight, you can turn on general lighting in the room. The same goes for turning off the lights in the evening.

Spectral composition

The right lighting for your aquarium is more than just a powerful light output. It is light with a range of wavelengths required for photosynthesis. The spectrum of sunlight covers the entire region visible to the human eye, and is also present in the UV and IR ranges. The consumer of solar energy (in our case, an aquatic plant) decides for itself: what wavelength of light he needs at this stage of growth. The spectrum of fluorescent and LED sources is selective with bursts of intensity only in some areas of the visible spectrum. In this case, the plant is forced to "enjoy" the radiation that the backlight produces.

In order for the light from the lamp to reach the leaves growing at the bottom, it needs to overcome a water obstacle of several tens of centimeters. The fact is that the laws of propagation of light in water and air are very different. Namely, photons with different wavelengths pass through the water column in different ways. For clarity, below is a graph that shows how the intensity of light changes depending on the wavelength. Light in the range from violet to green penetrates 1 meter of water with minimal loss. At the same time, the intensity of the rays of the red spectrum is halved at a distance of 30 cm from the light source, and after 1 meter, no more than 10% of them remain. However, this fact does not mean at all that in the aquarium lighting it is necessary to increase the proportion of red radiation. Indeed, in the natural environment, aquatic plants are also accustomed to receiving blue, green and red rays from the sun in different proportions.

The spectral composition of various artificial light sources is very different, affecting the growth of certain plants in different ways. For this reason, a lot of controversy has arisen about which lamps are best for illuminating an aquarium with exotic fish. Some insist on the sufficiency of conventional fluorescent lamps with a color temperature of up to 8500 ° K, others insist on the use of specialized phytolamps, and still others recommend the combined use of cold and warm light lamps.

Nevertheless, the option of combined illumination using LED light sources is considered optimal. Because…

More details about LEDs

LED lighting for aquariums is a relatively new trend in the use of LEDs. However, she has already found supporters among innovators and experimental enthusiasts.

LED lighting outperforms fluorescent lamps in several ways:

LEDs do not emit heat towards the water. This means that they can be as close as possible to the water surface, providing for the protection of live parts from moisture, and not worry about the stability of the temperature regime.
The light output of LEDs is much more stable over time. At correct operation after 3000 hours, the decrease in the luminous flux of the LED does not exceed 5%, which is much better than that of the opponents.
The brightness of the LEDs can be controlled by a dimmer or an adjustable power supply.

An innovative method of aquarium lighting is the installation of bicolor LED phytolamps as an additional source of violet and red waves. Their purple light speeds up photosynthesis by enhancing the effect of full spectrum main lamps.

The only reason many people fail to make LED aquarium lighting is still the price. The cost of high-quality LED equipment is much more expensive than the usual glass tubes from Osram and Philips. However, you can always start simple by adding some bright colors to everyday white light. Let's talk about this briefly.

DIY aquarium lighting

Decorative aquarium lighting led strip is a kind of tuning that benefits its inhabitants. For these purposes, take several pieces of RGB tape (IP67) with a length slightly shorter than the cover. There is always a place for them between the fluorescent lamps. Then they are connected in parallel and connected to an RGB controller. It is better to buy a power supply and RGB controller with a degree of protection higher than IP54 in order to place them under the cover. In the evening, they smoothly change the color of the glow from the remote control, observing the beauty of the underwater world.

The use of a strip as the main lighting, regardless of the type of LEDs installed, is only suitable for shallow aquariums, since the power of each individual crystal does not exceed 0.5 W (50 lm).

You can even make LED lighting in your aquarium without a lid. If the aquarium is permanently located near the wall, then you can make a wall-mounted version of the lamp, fixing it above the water surface using brackets. Also noteworthy is the suspended mounting method with the ability to adjust the height. Both options save fish lovers from making a lid and facilitate access to water.

Read the same

Aquarium plants need a lot of light for normal growth and development. The fish do not need it so much, but with sufficient illumination they look very attractive, bright, and behave actively. Therefore, it is so important to choose the right lighting for the aquarium. This is not as easy as it seems at first glance, as there are many details that need to be known.

Where to place the lighting for the aquarium

Most often, the lighting in the aquarium is located on top. The most common option is in the lid. Both long and regular lamps can be installed here. To achieve more uniform illumination, reflectors are installed near the lamps, which redirect and diffuse the light. This is especially important if one long lamp is used. If it is simply attached to the lid, most of the bottom remains in the shade, which is not always a good thing.

But not always being close to the water is a blessing. If you use lamps that generate a lot of heat, you have to install coolers (fans) or raise them above the aquarium. In this case, hangers and stops can be used. Here who will adapt how - there are different options.

Make a special mount to the ceiling

The overhead light does not always reach the bottom in the right amount. Then you can either increase the power of the lamps, or place several on the walls, closer to the bottom or at the very bottom. The latter option is more decorative in nature, but can slightly improve the low illumination in the lower layers.

Illuminated aerator - one of the options Aquarium light with suction cups - can be attached to the walls at any level

More correct is the "overhead" lighting for the aquarium, but to correct the situation and the impossibility of a quick alteration, you can use the light sources located below, or you can install spotlights for a decorative effect - to emphasize some part of the relief or an unusual plant at dusk.

Lamp types

Aquarium lighting can be made with any type of lamp. Anyone in general. But its effectiveness, appearance plants and fish, the amount of energy expended will be very different. Let's evaluate from this point of view all types of lamps.

Incandescent and halogen lamps

They are grouped into one category as they have similar advantages and disadvantages. Incandescent bulbs are good for aquariums because they emit light, the spectrum of which is very similar to sunlight. The second big plus is the affordable price. But the disadvantages are very serious. This is a low efficiency - about 97% of the energy is spent on heat generation and only 3% directly on the emission of light waves.

The bills for this kind of aquarium lighting will be decent. In addition, it is necessary to remove the heat that incandescent lamps emit during operation. This is usually done by installing coolers - low-power fans, but they also do not always save.

Metal-halogen

This type of lamp is ideal for aquariums with a lot of grass and if the water column is more than 60 cm. This is due to the wide spectrum of light emitted, its high brightness and the ability to penetrate to great depths. When illuminated by metal-halogen lamps (MGL), there will be “sun glare”, shadows from plants and fish at the bottom.

The disadvantage is that they get very hot during operation, so basically such lamps are installed at a distance of at least 30 cm from the water mirror.

Fluorescent lamps

Today these lamps are available in several versions. There are ordinary household (NO). They have a low level of luminescence, they can be used to illuminate shallow aquariums - up to 50 cm deep. Below the light just won't reach. There are two other technologies HO (High Output) and VHO (Very High Output), which shine many times brighter with the same dimensions. Their light is able to penetrate to a rather great depth.

In the aquarium, two types of fluorescent lamps are commonly used - T5 and T8. T8 is used more often. They have the best value for money. T5 lamps with a smaller diameter (16 mm versus 26 mm) give twice as much light, but they also cost twice as much as T8. And since they still need to be changed in the same period, the G8 is used more often.

One more point: these two types of lamps are not interchangeable: a special starting and regulating device is required under T5, so the lamps for them are different.

The disadvantage of fluorescent lamps is that over time they "burn out", that is, they change the glow spectrum. This necessitates a replacement every 6-10 months, although the lamp is still working and may continue for many more months. But the plants no longer "like" its light. And these are additional costs and quite tangible ones.

Compact fluorescent lamps or housekeepers

According to their characteristics, they are very similar to ordinary fluorescent ones, only the shape of the light tube is changed - they are twisted into a spiral - and the cartridge is for standard connectors.

LED

Today, LED lighting for aquariums is considered by many to be optimal. They heat up a little, with low electricity consumption they shine brightly, have a wide color range, and have a long service life. In addition, they are safe as they operate on 12V.

Another plus of using LEDs is that their brightness can be easily changed. In the absence of experience, it is almost impossible to immediately find the optimal amount of light, so the ability to adjust the amount of light is very useful.

The disadvantage of LEDs is a considerable price for crystals good quality... The second unpleasant moment - they also emit heat, which must be removed. But the heat is generated by the body of the LED and it is easier to dissipate it - to install it on an aluminum plate, which will take away the heat. If necessary, you can build in a cooler from the back or raise it higher above the water.

If we speak in relation to the aquarium hobby, then by organizing the correct LED lighting for the aquarium, you can achieve a play of glare and shadows at the bottom, an excellent type of plants and fish.

A few words about what LED lamps are:

For all these reasons, LED aquarium lighting is becoming more and more popular. At low costs during the operation stage, they give good light, "burn out" much more slowly. Moreover, it is possible to make the backlight "colored" using RCD diodes. Incidentally, they allow you to adjust the amount of a particular "shade" of light.

Combined lighting for aquarium

When designing aquarium lighting, many experienced owners combine several types of lamps - two or even three. This way you can achieve optimal illumination at the lowest cost. Most often, fluorescent and LED lamps, fluorescent with metal-halogen lamps are combined, all three types are used.

It just seems that the options are few. In fact, there are a lot, since light sources are also selected according to the temperature of the light. As a result, the visual perception and colors of vegetation and fish change decently. When selecting, it is desirable to obtain a spectrum close to the spectrum of sunlight or to choose such a combination that is pleasant to all the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Light intensity

To choose the right lighting for an aquarium, you need to take into account many factors: its type (sea or freshwater), the presence of plants in it and their needs (what intensity of light they need), the geometric parameters of the jar itself (the height of the water column) and the color of the water. Depending on all these factors, lamps and lamps are selected.

Selection by volume

A common practice is to adjust the brightness of the aquarium lights based on the volume of the aquarium. The technique does not take into account a lot of nuances, but it can be used as a basis - for an approximate determination of the required lamp power. The required power of the lamps is calculated depending on the volume of water (not the reservoir, but water - subtract the air gap and the thickness of the soil).

For an aquarium without plants, not so much light is needed - fish do not need much of it. It is counted at 0.1-0.3 W / l.
If the aquarium contains shade-loving algae and fish, the lighting power can be calculated based on the norm of 0.2-0.4 W / L.
Average illumination - 0.4-0.5 W / l. But with this choice, the plants will grow slowly, they will stretch upward.
Optimal illumination for a normal herbalist, for bright and healthy plants is 0.5-0.8 W / l.
Bright illumination with a large number of light-loving plants - 0.8-1.0 W / l.

The data is given for lighting with incandescent lamps and halogen lamps. But today they are used less and less, since they are ineffective and get very hot. You can determine the required power of other light sources according to the correspondence table.

Having calculated how much power of the fluorescent lamp you need, you can calculate the required power of other types of light sources.

Depth selection

When determining the light intensity of an aquarium, its depth must be taken into account. The thing is that when 10 cm of water of medium transparency passes through, the illumination drops by 50%.

Every 10 cm depth "eat" 50% of the illumination level

This means that if the illumination on the surface is 1000 Lm, at a depth of 60 cm it will only reach about 15 Lm, and below it will be practically dark. If you want to have healthy plants, you need to have at least 60-90 lm at the bottom of the light. Therefore, when calculating the light intensity for an aquarium, its depth should also be taken into account.

Aquarium lighting time

When designing lighting, the question arises: how long should the aquarium lighting last. The answer is based on the "habits" of plants and fish. They are native to tropical latitudes, and there the daylight hours lasts about 12 hours, regardless of the season. This is the kind of lighting you need to provide your plants.

Sometimes they try to compensate for the lack of illumination by extending the daylight hours. This usually has no positive consequences, but negative ones appear very often - with a long daylight hours, the water begins to bloom, the illumination even decreases, it becomes necessary to replace the water.

In addition to the fact that the light in the aquarium should burn for a certain time, it is desirable to create some kind of half a day - some time - 3-4 hours a day - the lighting should be very bright, the rest of the time the intensity of the aquarium lighting can be reduced. To implement such a mode, several lamps are used, which are switched on through separate toggle switches / switches.

In order to automate the process, you can install a time relay. Today there are absolutely inexpensive models through which you can turn on the lamps. They are mechanical and electronic. Electronic ones can be programmable and you don't have to set the time every time, since the power will be supplied and turned off automatically.

The right lighting - guarantee of good life for all aquarium inhabitants... At the moment, there are several different ways illumination of the aquarium. But the best option is DIY lighting. Each aquarist will be able to independently calculate the power of the equipment, install and fix lamps. Even a beginner is able to calculate the required lighting using led spotlights or led lamps.

Light is one of the main foundations.

Without the sun or artificial light, there is no life. No light algae and plants will not be able to function... From a lack of lighting, algae die in the shortest possible time. The process of photosynthesis will not produce oxygen, which is needed for most physiological processes... Oxygen is essential for fish respiration and active life.

Lack of lighting affects aquatic inhabitants the least painfully. Aquarium fish need a consistent "mode of life". Daytime lighting should be different from nighttime lighting. Too long lighting or its complete absence for a long period can lead to various diseases and death of aquarium inhabitants. This fact has been proven by numerous studies carried out by experienced specialists. Also, lighting affects reproduction, increased growth, development, life expectancy of aquatic inhabitants.

A container with only plastic artificial plants can do without lighting. Such algae do not need lighting. They serve as a decoration for the aquarium. But it is worth considering that plastic produces toxins that have a detrimental effect on living aquarium inhabitants.

How do you know if the lighting is right?

A properly lit container can delight all experienced and novice aquarists. The algae has an intense emerald hue with hints of brown, amber and purple... Exotic fish are active, and their scales sparkle with sparkling shades. But due to various failures of the ecological balance, various ailments can occur.

The ecobalance is influenced by correct lighting and water pollution... There are frequent cases when the water begins to bloom and become cloudy. This phenomenon is indicative of improperly selected lighting. It provokes the active growth of pathogens. When aquarium inhabitants swim in polluted water only at the surface of the tank, this indicates a lack of air and a strong excess of light.

If after installation homemade lamp after 50-100 days, all aquarium inhabitants are still comfortable, this indicates correct selection optimal lighting. The necessary signs should be clear water, actively growing plants. Aquarium dwellers should take an interest in food. New offspring should be observed.

With a lack of lighting, algae begin to lose their color. The appearance of the plants is beginning to upset aquarists. A "black beard" is formed on the stem and leaves. A dark bloom indicates a strong contamination of the container and a lack of lighting.

When installing the lighting fixture, avoid directing light to the bottom of the container. Under natural conditions, the bottom of reservoirs is illuminated Sun rays... They pass through the water from top to bottom. Therefore lighting in reverse order can cause severe damage to algae.

Power calculation

Novice aquarists believe that the total power of LED sources is 1 Watt. But, as you know, the volume of aquariums can be different. There are containers for 20 liters, and there are also for 2 tons. Therefore, the optimal solution for lighting aquariums is LEDs with a power of 0.2 W each. Their number must be calculated depending on the volume of the aquarium. Also, special complex formulas affect the miscalculations. For example, for a container of 200 liters, you will need a strip that includes 30 LED lights. The strip can be replaced with 25-40 point LEDs.

Experienced aquarists believe that in order to make a correct calculation, it is necessary to use the value: 0.5 W / liter of water as the optimal formula. But the given value is not accurate... It is influenced by depth. It is known that the larger the container, the more difficult it is to illuminate its bottom.

Correct capacity capacity can be selected visually... Water and all flora should be illuminated to the very roots in uneven proportions. Above, the light should be the brightest. Snails and various benthic fish need lighting in the smallest proportions compared to other types of aquarium inhabitants. The aquarium flora is still drawn towards the light. Different types fish independently determine the most comfortable conditions. They can choose the shaded part of the tank, or vice versa - be as close to the surface of the water as possible.

Algae, due to the necessary process of photosynthesis, are considered the most vulnerable and picky about proper lighting.

What is the usual lighting for an aquarium?

The most optimal solution is halogen light sources. They are very economical financially. They have a wide range of action. They contain a small amount of mercury.
Incandescent lamps are considered to be the simplest lighting. They have an amber spectrum required by most algae and fish species. But it is worth considering that such light will not be enough for an elite aquarium flora. Plants can become smaller, crumble, which will lead to early death. Therefore, incandescent lamps are recommended to be combined with other light sources.
The most durable are fluorescent lamps. They have a wide spectrum of scattered light. One lamp can illuminate a container with a volume of 500 liters. To date, lamps have been developed with a snow-white and blue tint.
An economical option is LED bulbs. They have a wide spectrum of action, uniform light dispersion. They do not harm the algae or cause discomfort.
An additional backlighting option is LED strips. Their biggest disadvantage is their low spectral range. Therefore, tapes are combined with other light sources.

Video about the manufacture of LED lamps

The advantage of diodes

LED lamps are leaders in lighting thanks to:

Financial profitability. Their cost is much lower than that of other lighting sources. They consume a small amount of electricity, but at the same time they have the necessary brightness.
High strength and good resistance to various types of damage.
Durability and long-term use. This equipment works flawlessly for five to six years. The financial cost of replacing the housing or parts is excluded.
Spectral coverage that has a positive effect on the aquarium inhabitants.
High operational safety in case of sudden voltage surges.
Minimal excess heat. The equipment does not overheat when the lamps are used for a long time.
Lack of toxic components. There is no negative radiation in such lamps. This equipment is high-tech.

If there is a lack of lighting, the color of exotic fish can begin to fade.

DIY making

DIY aquarium lighting can be done two different methods.

Method one implies additional arrangement of the lid with the help of special phytolamps. LED equipment is attached to the entire surface of the cover. Thanks to such a tape, the necessary light spectrum is created. Remove the protective film from the LED material based on self-adhesive paper. The tape is attached to the entire surface of the lid and filled with plastic. At the border of the cable and tape, it is necessary to make the insulation with silicone. Such material reliably protects the cable from moisture. This type of lighting for plants, water and the entire aquarium world is used as a decoration. These phytolamps cannot be called a separate light source.

Method two includes the main type of lighting without the use of multifunctional units. Large aquariums with a volume of 200-300 liters require 115-125 watts of lighting. It will take a little more than forty point LEDs, each of which has a power of 3 watts. Ultimately, the aquarium should have over ten thousand lumens. For such a volume, the lighting will be very bright. Therefore, beginner aquarists are advised to carefully monitor the balance of the aquarium world. With an overabundance of lighting and strong growth of capacity by plants, it is recommended to lower the overall intensity. The price of electrical blocks and LEDs depends on the dealers selling this equipment.

Sometimes equipment of the same quality can have different prices.

What is required?

LED lighting kit;
Plastic gutter more than two meters long;
12 W electrical unit;
Cable 1.5 mm wide;
Cooling system or coolers;
40 detachable sockets for LED equipment;
Special cutter designed for hole machining;

Installation, assembly

Depending on the length of the container, it is necessary to cut off two pieces of the plastic trough;
At the bottom of the material, holes are drilled in an amount of 20 pieces;
LED lamps are inserted into the holes and carefully fixed;
The lamps are connected to a 12 W electrical unit. At this stage, it is recommended to contact a specialist. A professional electrician can easily connect the lamps to the sockets. Novice hobbyists can mix up the polarity. This can lead to a short circuit;
Coolers are installed to cool the tank. They are used for strong vapors or lid heating;

Installation video LED backlight

With the optimal amount of light, a slight heating of the water occurs, which is necessary for all living things that live in the aquarium.

LED floodlights

Do-it-yourself aquarium lighting can be done using special led floodlights. For the greatest impression and enhance the illumination of the tank, some aquarists add various emerald, burgundy or blue LEDs. Such lighting looks gorgeous, bewitching guests. Gives charm to the charm. But it is worth considering that it is strictly forbidden to use such lighting on an ongoing basis! Unnatural lighting, unlike natural sunlight, greatly oppresses the aquarium inhabitants.

Artificial multi-colored lighting, instead of the usual ribbon lighting, has a very bad effect on the health of the fauna.

Video about LED spotlights

To install such a backlight, you will need:

LED floodlights of different shades;
Special electric timer;
Mounts;
Sealant;

Searchlights are installed behind the back wall of the tank. It is very important to install the spotlights so that they are just below the bottom of the aquarium. They are installed using special fasteners. It is recommended to seal the cable leading to the electrical unit with sealant. Thanks to this material, moisture will not be able to leak to the electricity. It is worth considering that the blue-tinted spotlights resemble the moon. They are mainly turned on in the evening. Red, burgundy or crimson shades enhance reproduction. Emerald color is intended for pacification and tranquility.

Video about LED backlight

If the aquarist is the owner of an unusual exotic aquarium, then the right lighting is necessary for the active growth of corals.

The life of all aquarium inhabitants depends on correctly selected lighting. Algae need light for the process of photosynthesis. And the oxygen released by plants is needed by all living creatures of the aquarium world. In order for plants to emit air, light is needed. The most economical and common equipment is LED lighting. These lamps can be purchased at specialty stores or made by yourself.

Experienced owners know that extra light is needed for beautiful fish coloration and healthy plant growth. It helps to recreate the conditions familiar to the inhabitants. In addition, proper lighting will help maintain the internal balance of the aquatic environment. And this affects the development and reproduction of the inhabitants of the aquarium.

In a specialized pet store, you can purchase a cover along with the aquarium. the right size... A ready-made lighting system is already built into it. However, it is not suitable for every aquarium.

Types of lighting for the aquarium

Before choosing lamps, you need to remember that for different purposes you need different type lighting. Combining different color spectra will help to recreate the conditions most comfortable for both plants and inhabitants.

Thus, if you want:

Provide lush vegetation growth, then it is necessary to use lamps of red, blue and white spectra.
Emphasize the beauty of aquarium fish and support the growth of corals, then you need to stop at the lamps of the blue spectrum. They are used in marine and pseudo-marine aquariums for recreation.
Make your aquarium a warm and pleasant piece of furniture lamps of yellow spectra will help. They do not render positive influence on the flora of a home reservoir, but they can favorably emphasize the beauty of aquarium fish and illuminate the room with soft diffused daylight. A yellow lamp can be combined with a white one by placing the latter against the back wall for contrasting background illumination.

Incandescent lamps

Most a budget option lighting. Most often used in small pools and fish ponds.

The advantage of such lamps is the required color spectrum - up to 3000 K. It is most favorable for the process of photosynthesis and the growth of aquatic vegetation.

There is also a big disadvantage - this is a very low efficiency (only 5%). A lot of energy goes into heat. In addition, drops of water from the aquarium may cause the lamp to burst.

Therefore, incandescent lamps are most often used for aquariums with cold-blooded inhabitants (frogs, turtles, newts and others).

Fluorescent lamps

There are two types: specialized and fluorescent lamps. The first type is best suited for lighting containers with plants. They emit a red and blue color spectrum that accelerates plant growth and development.

Specialized lamps have their drawbacks: high price and a short service life (up to a year).

A fluorescent lamp is cheaper and lasts about 2 years. At the same time, there is a significant disadvantage - the growth of aquatic plants and the process of photosynthesis slow down.

Halogen lamps

The brightest light source for an aquarium. Their power ranges from 70 to 1000 watts. It has a point directionality and illuminates a specific area.

Light penetrates the very depths, reflecting off the walls and creating a contrast of colors and play with deep shadows. These lamps are the most popular among those who love the aquatic environment.

However, there is also a minus in such a light source: it requires cooling for at least an hour a day, because it can burn out due to overheating. Like an incandescent light bulb, it can burst if exposed to water.

LED strips

They are the most economical light source. In addition, there are tapes different colors and shades, and therefore the color spectrum can be recreated independently by combining blue, yellow, white and red colors. Also, using the switch, the ribbons of the required color are turned on. But the main advantage is water resistance.

There is a variety of LED strips that are covered with silicone. They can be lowered into the water without any fear.

Installation of LED strips is very simple - just glue them to the inside of the cover and connect to a power source. However, a transformer is required here, because the tapes consume only 12V.

How to set up aquarium lighting yourself?

First of all, you need a frame or a finished cover. The frame itself is best made of wood or OSB boards. You can take plastic and plexiglass, but it is undesirable, because these materials are easily deformed when heated (depending on the type of lamp being installed, the heat transfer can be quite large). The lid can be made by hand.

From the inside, the lid should be pasted over with reflective foil - so all the light will be directed to the aquarium itself. For fluorescent and halogen lamps, special mounts are used, with which they are tightly screwed to the inner surface of the cover. All that remains is to connect the wires and insulate open areas special tape.

LED strips are much easier to install. They are connected to a 12V power supply. Then the back cover is torn off and the LEDs are glued to the cover.

Keep in mind that a lot of moisture evaporates from the aquarium. It deposits on the lid and can cause the LEDs to burn out. Therefore, you need to choose a waterproof tape.

After completing the installation, it is imperative to glue the junction of the wires of the LEDs and the stabilizer with silicone sealant.

If the high humidity in the room does not bother the owner, and calm inhabitants live in the "bank", not prone to jumping and escaping from the aquarium, then you can install special spotlights that only need to be fixed.

Conclusion

Aquarium lighting is very important for the healthy growth of fish and plants. She is involved in regulating the balance of the aquatic environment. It is easiest to buy a ready-made cover with lighting, but it will come out more expensive and it is not a fact that it will fit every aquarium. Indeed, depending on the volume of the aquarium, on the species of its inhabitants (fish, toads, newts or turtles) and plants, different intensity and color spectrum of illumination are needed.

Correctly selected lighting for the aquarium will guarantee the rapid growth of plants and the good life of the aquarium inhabitants. Several different aquarium lighting methods are currently in use, including energy-saving lamps, diodes and metal halide technologies. High-quality lighting can be made with your own hands or you can purchase ready-made kits for aquariums of various displacement.

You can make the lighting for the aquarium yourself

What is lighting for?

Aquarium fish and farmed plants cannot exist without sunlight or artificial light. Under high-quality lighting, the aquatic flora actively participates in the process of photosynthesis: it absorbs carbon dioxide, nitrates and nitrites, while simultaneously saturating the water with life-giving oxygen.

Light is required by fish and other aquatic organisms. It allows them to maintain a daily regimen of wakefulness and falling asleep. It is necessary not only to choose the right lighting power, but also its duration. The latter factor will be especially important for plants, as it prevents the growth of unwanted algae.

Without correct lighting only plastic artificial plants can be planted in the aquarium, the appearance of which is far from ideal. But if you want to create a real underwater garden in an aquarium with beautiful plants and bright tropical fish, then you cannot do without high-quality light.

Until recently, the choice of aquarists was significantly limited. They could only use standard incandescent lamps, which were not very suitable for these purposes, as well as fluorescent lighting, which somewhat reduced electricity costs, allowing them to choose the optimal spectrum for fish and plants. Today assortment lighting fixtures for the aquarium has expanded significantly.

You can make it from various materials

Basic facts to be guided by when choosing a backlight:

Optimal solution - halogen light sources which are economical at the same time, have a wide range of lighting, contain a minimum of mercury and are easy to use.
Incandescent lamps low power can also be used to illuminate the aquarium. Such a light has yellow tint, which allows you to highlight the beauty of bright tropical fish. However, incandescent lamps still have disadvantages. First of all, this is an increased power consumption, provoking the growth of algae, as well as significant heating, which leads to overheating of the entire aquarium.
Fluorescent lamps they are economical, efficient, and have a wide variety of spectra.
LEDs is an economical modern technology that allows you to reduce energy consumption by providing intense directional or diffused lighting. Thanks to the use of various controllers, LED lamps can be fully automated: they will turn on and off according to a predetermined schedule.

The most popular today are fluorescent and LED lamps. They are economical at the same time, allow you to obtain color with any shade and spectrum, perfectly illuminate both small aquariums and containers with a volume of several tons. The only drawback of LED lamps and the controllers required for their operation is the high cost of the components used. The latter somewhat limits their distribution in the domestic market.

In this video, you will learn more about how to make a backlight:

Correct power calculation

It is often difficult for novice aquarists to calculate the required light output for a specific aquarium volume. In the past, when fluorescent lamps were the most popular, it was much easier to calculate the required lighting power. The minimum indicator was 0.50 watts per liter of volume. Accordingly, a 10 watt lamp was sufficient for a 20 liter aquarium. For light-loving plants and with an increased height of the glass container, the power could be 0.7-1 W per liter.

But with the advent of LED lamps, the calculation became much more complicated. Here it is necessary to take into account not only the consumption of electricity by one LED, but also its power in lumens and other characteristics. Most experts recommend using LEDs of 0.2 W per liter of aquarium capacity to illuminate the aquarium. Accordingly, for a volume of 200 liters, about 40 pieces of such small diodes will be required.

Optimal spectrum:

for bottom fish - 3000-6000 Lux;
for the maintenance of flora and fauna - 6,000-10,000 Lux;
for light-loving plants and aquascape - 10,000-15,000 Lux.

Experienced aquarists choose the lighting power they need empirically. Here it is necessary to take into account not only the requirements of the grown plants (some may feel good in the shade or in bright light), but also the presence of fertilizers in the water, the length of daylight hours. The higher the water column, the more powerful the lighting should be.

Find the optimal spectrum

If the plants and walls of the aquarium are abundantly covered with a brown bloom, this indicates excessive lighting power and a long day of light. But if the plants look lifeless, weak and faded, then you should simultaneously start supplying carbon dioxide, fertilize the water on a regular basis and increase the light intensity.

DIY backlight making

Despite the seeming complexity, it will not be difficult to make your own aquarium lighting with LEDs. It is possible to use both fluorescent lamps and a cover with built-in LEDs. In each case, the choice will depend on the volume of the aquarium, the required intensity and power of light, as well as the financial capabilities of the aquarist.

Use of fluorescent lamps

The easiest way to implement efficient and inexpensive lighting is based on fluorescent lamps. All that is required in this case is sealed cartridges (two for each lamp), an electric starter, or a ballast, high-quality power wires. It is not recommended to take ordinary cartridges that are not protected from water, as high humidity forms under the lid, which leads to oxidation of the contacts and a possible short circuit.

The wiring diagram for such lighting is standard. A cable is drawn from the outlet to the electric trigger. The wires from the pressurized cartridges are connected to the device in the corresponding outputs. A simplified connection diagram will be applied to the body of the electric trigger device, in accordance with which the fluorescent backlight should be assembled. It is possible to increase the efficiency of such lighting by using diffusers located above the lamps and made of polished metal or kitchen foil.

LED strips

On sale you can find ready-made LED lamps and strips, which are the most simple option creating high-quality lighting in the aquarium. Through the use modern technologies such lamps are distinguished by the highest possible efficiency: with their compact dimensions, they illuminate the aquarium well, emit a minimum of heat and are easily installed in the standard seats of the lamps used.

You can pick up different options LED illumination for an aquarium, which will differ in their power, spectrum, and a number of other characteristics. Such lamps are especially popular among novice aquarists who have been able to use the latest advances in lighting technology.

This type of lighting is the most popular.

Automated diode lamps

Every year the popularity of led lighting for an aquarium is constantly increasing, which is explained by the functionality of such light, power, economy and the ability to easily select the spectrum required by the aquarist. On sale there are LEDs of various powers and shades, as well as the simplest automatic controllers necessary for controlling electricity. Making LED lamps for an aquarium with your own hands will not be particularly difficult.

In specialized pet stores, you can find ready-made lamps or LED strips designed specifically for the aquarium. The largest manufacturers of such lighting are the following companies:

Dennerle;
Sulfur;
Juwel;
Hagen;
Aquael;
Aqua Medic.

In this light, there are a number of nuances in the installation.

The LED strip must be fixed with silicone waterproof glue on the aquarium lid with a snake or crosswise, positioned in such a way as to ensure an even density of the LEDs. A power supply and a starter are connected to the LED strip. In the event that a power supply unit and a starter device are not included in the set with the tape, then it can be purchased additionally or made from an old computer power supply.

If you plan to use a controller, then it is connected between the power supply and the LED strip. The controller used allows you to smoothly increase and decrease illumination, simulating sunrise and sunset; it is possible to turn on various LEDs, allowing you to change the spectrum of lighting depending on the time of day. Controllers for LED lights are most commonly used in marine aquariums where a daily routine needs to be maintained.

By choosing the right LED lighting for your aquarium, you can create optimal conditions life for aquatic organisms and grow beautiful garden from plants. For an aquarium, fluorescent and metal halide lamps, as well as LED elements, are suitable, which can significantly reduce electricity consumption by optimally controlling the intensity, power and duration of lighting.