Open aquariums and their lighting
An open aquarium is an excellent choice for those seeking contemporary and stylish aquarium designs. This style is particularly favored by enthusiasts of Dutch, Japanese, or biotope aquariums. With its natural look, an open aquarium can serve as a stunning focal point in interior decor, captivating the attention of visitors. Additionally, it enhances the room's humidity, which can be beneficial for individuals with respiratory issues.
Open aquariums do not have a lighting cover. Instead, illumination is often provided by fixtures mounted on beams or hanging lamps. Side-mounted or rear-mounted lamps are also commonly used, especially for smaller “nano” tanks.
Why is aquarium lighting important?
There are typically two primary reasons for illuminating an aquarium. Firstly, the tank should be visually appealing, showcasing the vibrant colors of the fish and plants, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the room. Secondly, many aquarists aim to cultivate healthy and thriving plants in their aquariums. Plants require light for 10-12 hours each day, which is essential for photosynthesis, the natural process that converts inorganic compounds into organic materials vital for their growth. Therefore, selecting the right lighting is key to maintaining an attractive aquarium and ensuring plants thrive.
How much light is needed in the aquarium?
The light requirement for an aquarium depends on the types of plants being grown. They can be categorized into three groups based on their light needs:
Group I – shade-tolerant plants, such as “pelia,” mosses, winged microsorium, screw moss, and certain others (e.g., Aponogetonofolia, Wendt’s assemblage, Backett’s assemblage, Malay assemblage), along with anubias.
Group II – moderately light-loving species, including ball-shaped seaweed, water-wort, roseworts, tiger lotus, ludwigia, broad-leafed water-wort, three-flowered water-wort, frogwort, broad-leafed dart, Argentine waterweed, giant common waterwort, compacts, limnophiles, small-leaved bacopa, Thai marmoset, ponikło, Japanese blyksa, and spearworts.
Group III – types that are highly light-dependent, such as cabombas, “glossostigma,” and hemianthus.
Generally, the lighting power is measured per liter of water in the aquarium. For LED lamps designed for shade-tolerant plants, it is typically recommended to have at least 0.15-0.2 W per liter. Medium-demanding plants require 0.25-0.4 W/l, while those that are highly light-loving need 0.5-0.7 W/l.
A day in an aquarium can occur at any time of the day. If the aquarium is positioned away from natural light and only receives artificial illumination, the lighting schedule can be tailored to suit personal preferences and the times when occupants are usually home (e.g., “dawn” at 3 p.m. and “dusk” at 1 a.m.). This way, one can enjoy the beauty of their own “slice of the underwater world” in brilliantly lit environments.
