4 Tips for Using LEDs in Aquariums

By now, you probably already know how popular LED bulbs are in many [city] homes. But LEDs have also penetrated multiple niche areas of lighting, which includes aquarium lighting among many others.

Fishkeeping is a popular hobby practiced by aquarists, who raise and breed all kinds of tropical fish and plants inside fish tanks—also known as aquariums. The fishkeeping scene is a million dollar industry, with aquarists more than willing to spend thousands of dollars to give the best care to all kinds of exotic fish.

Putting together an attention-grabbing aquarium takes more than just sand and some sunken toys for your fish to play with. Natural-looking light is a key factor for raising healthy fish, which is where LEDs come in, thanks to their superior lighting quality, low heat emissions, and outstanding durability.

Below are a few tips to use LED lights in your aquarium.

Keep Your Aquarium Lights Natural

Make sure any artificial lights you use for your aquarium are as close to the lighting environment your fish would be exposed to in their natural habitat.

Before buying LED lights, ask the pet store or fish breeder about the specific lighting conditions you need to follow for your fish. LED light bulbs are generally safe to use in aquariums because most of them produce a light spectrum perfect that’s close to natural sunlight.

And because LEDs don’t get as hot as incandescent bulbs and CFLs, you enjoy the added benefit of keeping your tank water cool, which means you no longer have to set up elaborate cooling systems. In turn, this means you can prevent algae growth, which can harm your fish and aquatic plants.

Use Colored LEDs

One of the main reasons LEDs are perfect for aquariums is their ability to produce a wide range of colors right out of the box.

If you have a saltwater tank with corals and plants, colored LEDs can actually help them grow. Cool or bluish lights are generally best for some species of tropical fish, which makes any standard LED bulb perfect for the job. If your bulbs are capable of changing colors, feel free to experiment with other natural-looking colors to create your desired mood.

Consider Getting Waterproof LEDs

Many LED light bulbs designed for aquariums are also water-resistant, if not waterproof. This opens the possibility of placing your lights directly inside the tank, creating all kinds of dazzling lighting effects.

However, be sure you’re using the right kind of LEDs for the job. You can’t just go to the hardware store and use any kind of LED, even if you place it in some kind of waterproof enclosure.

Put on a Light Show with Dimmable LEDs

Adding lights to your aquarium is a great to turn your tank into the focal point of any room. But if you really want to and something extra to it, find an LED lighting system that can be dimmed or brightened with a controller. Dimming your aquarium LEDs allows you to simulate moonlight, which can still create an aesthetic effect on your room when you switch off your general lighting.

When choosing aquarium lights, always keep in mind how they might affect the health of the fish, corals, and plants inside the tank. A properly lit aquarium creates an environment where your fish are healthy and can live longer. In other words, aesthetics should only be a secondary factor.