Guide to Aquarium Lightings

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Kinds of Aquarium Lightings include the following:

Incandescent lights

• Incandescent lights come in small bulbs usually installed in rows along the ceiling.
• They are fairly cheap and available in many colors and wattages.
• They produce a high amount of heat and require adequate ventilation to regulate temperatures.
• They are commonly used in small aquariums.

Fluorescent lights

• Fluorescent lights come in long glass tubes and are usually installed with hoods.
• They produce very little heat, have a longer bulb life, and cost less to maintain than incandescent lights.
• They are often combined with other bulbs to create color and lighting effects.

Compact lighting

• Compact lights are thinner fluorescent tubes bent into U-shapes and fitted into hoods.
• They produce more intense light that effectively penetrates water, making them ideal for deep tanks.
• They have relatively long bulb life. Some models have an indicated bulb life of two or more years.

Metal halide lights

• Metal halide lights create light ripples on the water, producing a natural sun-like effect.
• They also distribute heat around the water.
  
• They sometimes require a chiller to keep the water at a safe temperature.
• They are available in different forms, including single bulbs and fluorescent tubes.

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