Light is lifes major energy source and thats no different for saltwater aquariums too, there is mant types of lighting fixtures when setting up your aquarium so selecting the correct one is key and will depend what kind of fishes and other things.
If your choosing to house fish and only live rocks then maybe a standard fluorescent aquarium light will be adequate, but if your looking at more things like coral and photosynthetic animals then i would suggest a greater intensity of lighting like a metal halide.
So which one is the right lighting system for your saltwater aquarium?
Let's look at your options below. This will give you an idea of each light’s benefit, its quality, expense, amount of electricity it consumes and the life of the bulb itself.
Natural sunlight is inexpensive, provides the entire spectrum of wavelengths, called full-spectrum light. It is an ideal source of light for your aquarium, but is very difficult to control the right amount of it. It is also unpredictable so I don’t think this would be an acceptable source of aquarium light.
These type of saltwater aquarium lighting were used as a source of light for freshwater aquariums long time ago. It was the incandescent light on those aquariums. Your typical light bulb at home gives out tungsten light.
It burns hot and do not provide full spectrum lighting. They also promote algae bloom in aquariums.
It doesn’t last long and would require frequent changing.
Low cost but consume a lot of electricity.
Do not use this for your saltwater aquarium.
Most of the fluorescent lamps that are out in the market are used typically for freshwater aquariums but is alsio popular in saltwater aquariums. Typically they come built in with a full hood but can come as trip lights too.
Fluorescent light gives cool and bright light and spreads evenly from the light into the aquarium. They come in variety of choices and power output nowadays. Full spectrum lighting is ideal for reef aquarium.
It is known to last from several months to two years, dpending on the bulb.
It is less expensive than other aquarium lighting. They are very efficient and consume low amounts of electricity.
They are sold as strip lights or can be purchased as retrofit kit for a standard hood and are look like a u-shape instaed of the usual straight fluorescent tubes, but there output id much higher tahn the standard tubes.
Does the same as the standard fluorescent lights. The only difference is that this type produces higher intensity lighting. Full spectrum and specialty lighting are available and work very well for deeper reef aquariums.
It is more expensive than the standard fluorescent lights but is more efficient and consumes less electricity.
This is excellent for reef aquariums.
This saltwater aquarium lighting uses mercury vapor to produce light from spotlights such as above the aquarium.
Gives intense, deep-penetrating, full-spectrum light which is ideal for invertebrate aquariums. There are bulbs that have more blue on the spectrum and are available for special reef lighting.
They run hot so the light needs to be suspended and ventilated. Be extra careful when you use this as they may produce ultraviolet light that can damage your eyesight.
You would need to replace this every eight to twelve months to maintain its maximum efficiency.
This lighting is expensive to purchase and operate.
It is ideal for reef and invertebrate aquariums.
They are expensive and offer the best of both:
Combinations of saltwater aquarium lighting are now offered for your saltwater aquarium. The common types are the ones that sit above the aquarium. One is metal halide fluorescent fixture that includes multiple light sources.
Halides are typically used for photosynthetic corals and invertebrates. They produce high heat and may require a chiller. Shallow water corals will benefit from this intense lighting.
Recommended Lighting from Saltwater Aquarium Guide
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