Things You'll Need
- Aquarium hood or canopy
- Light fixture
- Bulb clips (2 to 4 per light fixture)
- Waterproof end caps (2 per fixture)
Instructions
For fish-only or aquariums more wide than deep, purchase fluorescent bulbs. T12 and T8 fluorescent bulbs are the most common and inexpensive.
For deeper aquariums or those that require more light for plants, use intense-lighting fluorescent bulbs. These are called High Output (HO) or Very High Output (VHO).
Open the lid of the hood or canopy and secure the bulb clips to the underside at even intervals in a straight line.
Hook the light fixtures under the bulb clips.
Secure the waterproof end caps to the ends of the light fixtures.
Attach a timer to the outlet for your lighting. Set the timer to go off at the same time each day---this routine keeps your fish healthy and less stressed. Twelve hours of daylight is the standard for aquarium creatures, though some may need more or less.