DIY Tropical Aquarium Lighting

Building your own tropical lighting system is a great way to add a unique touch to your tropical aquarium set up. Not only does it allow you to personalize the tank, it allows you to build a custom lighting system that may not be available in a completed kit from a retailer. Tropical aquariums require unique lighting conditions that other freshwater aquariums do not. Here are a few items to consider when putting together the supplies for your own custom tropical lighting system.

  1. Moonlight

    • Adding LED moonlight to an aquarium lighting system will allow you to add fish to your habitat that you would otherwise not be able to have. Many fish are nocturnal and will not come out if they only have bright lights shining on them. The use of moonlights will give you the opportunity to see your nocturnal fish. Also, moonlight is needed for many different coral species to reproduce. This will aid in maintaining a healthy habitat.

    Reef or Fish Only

    • If you only plan on having fish you can install full spectrum florescent lighting. This is a good multipurpose light but should only be used in aquariums that house fish. If you plan to experiment with a coral reef tank, metal halide or VHO (very high output) florescent bulbs are recommended. Note that these types of lights create heat, so installing a metal shroud is also necessary.

    Remote Ballasts

    • Light ballasts are vital to aquarium lighting because they convert electricity into current that enables florescent and metal halide lights to light up. When located inside of the enclosure they are subject to the heat created by metal halide and VHO florescent bulbs, which can cause premature breakdown of the ballasts' ability to function properly. They also take up room within the lighting enclosure that could otherwise could be used for LED moonlights or additional day time lights. A remote ballast can be located away from the enclosure and hidden away inside of the tank stand. This keeps the ballast cool and allows for more room inside of the enclosure .

    Hanging Enclosure or Stationary Enclosure

    • A hanging light enclosure will allow you to avoid using a lid on your aquarium. This in turn supports maximum air-to-water mixture which will help to oxygenate the water in the aquarium. This can be beneficial to the fish in the tank and can prevent the need for electronic methods of oxygenation. A stationary light or a light that sits directly on top of the tank prevents oxygenation but gains the ability to direct all of the light into the tank. Stationary lights are preferred by those with have reef tanks that have sensitive lighting needs because they allow for more consistent control of the light being directed into the tank.