Aquarium lighting: the choice of lamps, which ones are better? Instructions with photos and videos! Do-it-yourself LED lighting for an aquarium How to make do-it-yourself lighting in an aquarium.

Quite often, aquarists are faced with the question of lighting an aquarium, especially if it is homemade or if you contain plants that are clearly not enough regular lighting. It is not always clear what type, what power and what lamp temperature to choose. In this note, I will describe my case of creating and calculating LED aquarium lighting with my own hands, and along the way I will share additional information that I came across on this issue.

Actually, my aquaterrarium. Below is a 120-liter aquarium (with live plants, gastromisons, glass perches, tetras, corridors, etc.), on top there are 3 more of the same volume for a terrarium. As you can see, there is not enough space for placing aquarium lighting, frankly. Initially, when designing the aquarium, 2 fluorescent tube lamps with a power of 8 W each were supplied as lighting. Visually it seemed that the aquarium was lit enough. But after a while, the plants began to protest in every way available to them. It was decided to change the backlight to a more powerful one.

Choosing the type of aquarium light source

I decided to install LED strips that are gaining popularity. The most important reason for making LED aquarium lighting in my case was the extreme compactness of such lighting. As additional advantages of LED aquarium lighting - energy savings, long term services and operation of LEDs from low voltage (water is around, you never know ...).

What kind of light do aquarium plants need?

A few words about emission and absorption spectra. Plants are interested in the visible part of the light spectrum. To capture light, plants use chlorophyll, which absorbs light from the blue and red parts of the spectrum.

Plants reflect green light, which is why we see them as green. So the white light visible to our eye contains all the parts of the spectrum necessary for plants (blue and red) and even more (the green part of the spectrum not used by plants). Therefore, any white light source will be suitable for illuminating a standard aquarium. You just need to correctly calculate how much light is needed in your case.

Calculation of aquarium lighting

The calculation of aquarium lighting with LEDs does not differ from the calculation of lighting with other light sources. In most sources, the notorious formula 0.5 - 0.8 watts per liter is found. In principle, the circuit is working, but for different light sources there may be significant errors (for example, my 120 liters actually need 43 W led strip- if I counted in Watts, a completely different number would come out).

I recommend counting the lighting needs of the aquarium in lux. Lux is a unit of illumination, in fact - a lumen per 1 m² of area. Illumination for standard aquariums (height less than length) with normal plants 6,000 - 10,000 lux. For plants of strongly increased photophilousness 10,000 - 15,000 lux.

Those. we calculate the area of ​​the bottom of our aquarium in square meters and multiply the resulting number by the required number of lux. We get the desired parameters for our light source in lumens (they are indicated for all light bulbs and LED strips).

Calculation example: the bottom area of ​​my aquarium is 0.75m*0.4m=0.3m². The desired illumination is about 7000 lux. So, we need a light bulb 0.3 m² * 7000 lux = 2100 lumens.

I go to Leroy, I see a great option there: LED strip 14.4W / 60LED / m, cold white, IP65. 1 meter of such tape produces 700 lumens. So we take 3 meters.

Similar calculations can be made for any lamps / bulbs / spotlights.

At first, 7,000 lux seemed like a lot of light. But if we compare it with what we find in nature, the very thing comes out.

You will also need a power supply, I took it with a margin, 60 watts. Well, here we simply multiply the power of a meter of tape by the number of meters.

Warm or cold - see for yourself. Cold is more mixed in the blue part of the spectrum, warm in the red. Usually they put a cold one (it passes through the water column better), but for shallow aquariums this is not important. Choose according to your decor. I installed two meters of cold and one meter of warm white light.

As a conclusion

I put LED lighting in the aquarium and I'm not overjoyed :) No, seriously, very cool. It would be cheaper to illuminate the aquarium with fluorescent lamps, but, I repeat, my distance from the water to the “lid” (i.e. the terrarium shelf) is too small, in addition, I was wondering how it is to do-it-yourself LED aquarium lighting. The plants are very happy. Absolutely everyone went into growth, Riccia turned from a miserable lump into a lush carpet. Flowering, filaments and other problems were not noticed for 3 weeks.

Many lovers of aquatic life use LED aquarium lighting, assembled with their own hands, because sunlight alone is not enough for various tropical fish, even if their reservoir is located on the window. And if he stands at the inner wall, then there is a catastrophic lack of light.

Why do aquariums need light?

One of the most mesmerizing, impressive decorations modern interior is an aquarium, but it is impossible without illumination. A good LED lamp for an aquarium with your own hands is not so difficult to make.

Proper lighting design of the reservoir will make it one of the elements of additional lighting of the apartment. Light is a fundamental factor for enhancing the growth, reproduction and development of various aquatic aquarium plants.

People who love aquariums know that any ecosystem that occurs at a depth is quite whimsical. It forms its own connections between microscopic organisms, aquatic plants and various living creatures from the tropics.

Aquarium fish are the last and main link in such a small ecosystem, which for normal functioning I need more light in my aquarium. Without a certain number of photons of light, all greenery will degrade, fade, and will not be propagated by layering and cuttings.

Due to the cessation of photosynthesis, plants will not be able to process carbon dioxide and will not receive normal nutrition.

Without this, they will not release oxygen into the water, which is necessary for the life of microorganisms and the respiration of fish through the gills.

The entire mini-reservoir should be enriched with this gas and well lit by various light sources, because some inhabitants of the home water area (lilac plants, for example) cannot absorb the entire spectrum, but are content with only a small part of it.

Remember! It is not recommended to turn on the lamps in the summer for more than 10 hours / day. In winter, this time can be increased to 12 h/day. Be sure to turn off the lights at night for 6-8 hours. Pisces also need rest and a certain period of time for deep sleep.

Why is LED lighting better?

Due to the huge variety of living creatures and greenery in the reservoir, it is necessary to “adjust” and use, to preserve all species, sometimes not one, but several different light sources at once, with which you can stretch the length of the day.

Some aquarists use LED floodlights, while others prefer conventional lamps. Still others put halogens or good fluorescent lights, while others choose LED strips in the aquarium.

In theory, a normal light source:

1. It must emit rays in many spectral ranges at once, so that all plants (both lower and higher) grow and do not bloom. If we use, for example, ordinary lamps that have only a yellow spectrum, then higher plants may wither, and because of this, the water will quickly bloom.
2. Do not heat water. A lamp installed in the immediate vicinity of any home water area, at least a little, but warms it up. Many fish cannot tolerate an increase in the temperature of the surrounding liquid by more than 2 ° C and may die.

Consider all the options and find out which lamps are more profitable to use:

1. Halogens are a good and economical light source. They shine well and do not emit much heat. But they cost more than regular ones.
2. A simple light bulb is a popular type of mini pond lighting. But it gives out only yellow light, which is unacceptable for higher plants. Such a lamp has a large heat dissipation, and if it is close to the aquarium, living creatures may die due to improper temperature conditions. To eliminate heat, you can use ice by throwing it into the water in bags of cellophane.
3. Luminescent samples - were the most popular among aquarists. They are economical, durable, have the widest spectrum and diffused light. Just a pair of such lamps can fully illuminate a 400-liter pond. The output spectrum depends on the gas they have inside. But they are dangerous due to the presence of mercury vapor in the cylinder.
4. LED lamp for an aquarium with plants - the best option. Their low heat dissipation and high efficiency are known to all. They are environmentally friendly and harmless to any inhabitant of the domestic depths. Their range is limitless.
5. LED strip - a little worse than the previous version. Sometimes you have to search for a suitable assortment for a long time. Many tapes have low light output, and if bright ones are not available, you have to increase their number.

Pros and cons of LED lamps

Lighting in the aquarium with LED lamps has taken the first position with the advent of these lamps and their use in everyday life. And all because of the excellent characteristics that immediately replaced all the former light bulb options.

Their main advantages:

1. Profitability. The ratio of power consumption to high brightness is equal to or exceeds other samples.
2. The cost is average - lower than some types of other types of lamps.
3. In terms of efficiency and heat transfer, they are second only to sources with a luminescent glow, which can remain cold for several days in a row. For the entire working cycle of 10 h/day, they heat up very little and do not affect the infrastructure of the water area.
4. Strength. SDL - LED lamps for an aquarium with plants - not afraid of impacts different kind. They do not fight, they will not break the spiral (it simply does not exist).
5. The life of the most expensive options reaches 5 years, if used correctly.
6. The range of the spectrum is huge and favorable for the flora and fauna of the reservoir. Since there are many LEDs in such a lamp, you can put several multi-colored sources. Thus, it is possible to combine all the necessary spectra in one lamp.
7. Safety. This parameter is explained by the low potential required for the operation of the SDL, and high moisture resistance, which negates the likelihood of a fire.
8. Environmental friendliness. In the production of SDL, toxic substances are not used, and the absence of ultraviolet radiation and infrared luminescence has a positive effect on the inhabitants of the depths.

The main disadvantages of SDL are considered to be a relatively high price, because to include some SDL and tapes in a 220 V network, you need to purchase a power supply or a dimmer, and this is an additional expense.

You can do without a power supply, but then you need to buy 12-volt SDL and connect them to the battery. This has its advantages. In the absence of current in the network, your pets will be illuminated.

Is there enough light for the inhabitants of the home pond

Homemade LED aquarium lighting is always pleasing to the eye. Fish play in its rays, plants bloom rapidly. But all this in normal lighting, preferably from above in front. Otherwise, everything happens differently, and trouble is possible.

If the LED lamps in the aquarium are chosen incorrectly, the plants begin to change, become smaller, the water gradually blooms, turns green.

Lack of light (wrong calculation) provokes some types of plants. For example, the growth of green unicellular algae is accelerated.

Excess illumination (for example, strong spotlights) leads to another trouble: the ecological balance is disturbed, the water becomes muddy and dirty, the amount of oxygen in it is not enough. At the same time, the fish swim almost on the surface and cannot breathe, and the greenery withers.

How to find out how well LED lighting for an aquarium is chosen with your own hands? This is evidenced by the interior of the reservoir. If after 60-90 days the fish move within the entire volume, the water is clear, the plants do not fade, the backlight is ideal.

Illumination power and its spectral range

You need to know how to choose an LED spotlight in terms of power or which LED strip to use so that the reservoir is normally illuminated and its inhabitants are satisfied.

Experienced aquarists are advised to calculate the lamps based on the requirements - 0.5 W / l. But this is true for the old type of lighting.

To determine the number of LEDs in the network, complex conversion formulas and various online calculators are provided.

The calculation of the SDL is not as complicated as it seems. Aquarists say that the power of the SDL should not exceed 1–2 W, but this is not true, because aquariums are different and it is much more difficult to illuminate a large pond.

Yes, and uniform illumination of the aquarium with LEDs sometimes harms the inhabitants. Bottom representatives love the shade, and the plants stretch into the light zone. Fish swim everywhere and they themselves know where they are more comfortable in this moment- on the surface or between the roots in the shade.

Usually use SDL with a total power of 80-100 W per 200 hp. Wealthy people sometimes have mini-reservoirs of 20 thousand liters each. For a large volume, they take several dozen tapes with 30–40 mini-sources (0.2 W each), because everything needs to be illuminated from top to bottom.

It is not enough to have an aquarium - you need to properly illuminate it. Newly minted aquarists for beauty add yellow, green and blue spotlights or diode aquarium lamps that are constantly on. This is effective only for "window dressing". Such experiments are unnatural for the ecosystem.

If you put such LEDs in an aquarium, then unacceptable spectra will oppress the fish, this will affect the process of photosynthesis.

Such a "disco", for example, from an LED strip harms the representatives of the depths - it is detrimental to their health.

So what are the best colors to choose? Proper lighting Aquarium LED strip has its own criteria. The spectral range of such illumination, as recommended by all experts in this field, should be blue-violet or reddish-orange. An excellent result is obtained by combining lamps of different types. For example, using LED and fluorescent light sources for uniform illumination, you can create a cozy, environmentally friendly atmosphere for all living creatures and plants.

Where to install lighting fixtures

A home pond should organically fit into the overall design. It can be freely mounted in a sideboard, wall and other cabinet furniture. Moreover, according to the instructions, it is necessary to put the lamps in front of the top, and not behind the back wall, as beginner aquarists do.

Various home-made and industrial whatnots with aquariums, in which colorful inhabitants swim, look great. Stands-curbstones also look beautiful. The usual illumination in them is carried out in the form of a cover on the reservoir, which opens when feeding the fish.

Remember the following:

1. When performing lighting over a mini-pond in a closet, the aquarium must be covered with plywood, glass or other material to prevent anything from falling into the water.
2. You can greatly reduce electricity consumption if you use a photo relay, a timer and a thermal relay.

These devices are automatic and convenient for busy people. They are simply necessary for living creatures:

• photorelay turns off the light when evening comes outside the window;
• the thermal relay de-energizes the system when the lamps or water or heat up;
• the timer is connected to the lamps (to all or to a part) and allows you to turn off the light after a certain time.

This is important for many fish and plants, especially if you have multiple mini water areas. Fish and plants from the tropics need warm water and prolonged lighting, and cold-blooded ones are more docile and do not need as much light.

How to make LED lighting

It is advisable to combine SDL with fluorescent universal lamps of the LBU type - their spectrum is the best for reservoirs and their inhabitants. Both sources are fixed in a box, the bottom and walls of which are pasted over with foil to better reflect light.

First way

If your fish house is closed with a lid, then do-it-yourself LED aquarium lighting is done on it. This is the best place for additional light sources. The LED strip is reinforced around the perimeter of your cover from the inside.

Use a tape with a self-adhesive backing, filled with plastic so that water does not penetrate.

The protection is removed from the base, and the LEDs are strengthened under the cover. All this will evenly illuminate the water column and give the most optimal spectrum.

LED lighting for an aquarium does not claim to be independent, but is used as an additional, decorative light along with other types of lamps. It is better to isolate the wires (if their connection is made under the cover) with silicone for aquariums.

Second way

Complete prefabricated aquarium lighting LED lamps sufficient power is performed at the rate of 120 W per 200–250 l, if the reservoir is densely populated with vegetation. These are 40 LED 3-watt point light sources of 270 lm each.

The total illumination level will reach 10800 lm, which is enough for the above volume.

The main thing is not to overdo it and carefully monitor the state of the ecosystem. With the rapid growth of greenery, it is necessary to turn off some of the diodes or reduce their brightness.

The cost of construction may vary, because you can buy power supplies and LEDs in a regular store or order online from the Chinese. The price for the same high-quality devices sometimes differ several times.

For Assembly independent version illumination will be needed:

• set of SDL;
• plastic 100 mm gutter - 2.5 m;
• soft wire - up to 3 m;
• 12-volt power supply (for example, from a computer);
• 4-6 12-volt computer coolers, for cooling fixtures;
• cutter 48 mm;
• 40 connectors and sockets for LEDs.

On the gutter we make markings along the length of the aquarium and cut off 2 pieces with a hacksaw. We drill 20 holes in their bottoms. We try to execute them in a checkerboard pattern. We strengthen the lamps in the holes and connect them in parallel.

Please note that if the lamps are 12-volt, we connect them to the power supply, if 220 V - through the switch to the network.

We connect coolers through a thermal relay in parallel to the power supply. They will turn on if the temperature of the lamps is high.

If you are unable to do this yourself, contact an electrician or a knowledgeable friend.

Whatever the volume of the aquarium, all its living inhabitants and aquatic plants need additional illumination for full life support. In room lighting, its design is difficult to appreciate in all its splendor.

It is important for beginner aquarists to know how to lighting an aquarium so that its inhabitants have enough light and heat.

Diode, fluorescent and incandescent lamps, along with other equipment, are needed to maintain full life cycle in a closed water space.

What is important to know about home aquarium equipment

Most of the inhabitants of our aquariums come from the tropics, where there is a lot of light and heat. Aquatic plants need lamps for full-fledged photosynthesis. There is other equipment that works to maintain the eco-balance:

• heaters and thermostats;
• oxygen compressor;
• water filter and equipment for mechanical bottom cleaning.

In our latitudes, daylight hours are much shorter than in the tropics, where many fish and plants come from.

In apartment conditions, only a small percentage passes through the water column. natural light. Additional illumination provides not only photosynthesis of underwater vegetation, but also creates comfortable environment a habitat.

Attention: From lack of light, aquarium fish get sick more and live less, and plants degrade, rot and die.

Aquatic plants, not algae, but higher plants, with all the functions of terrestrial forms.

The only difference is that one has to hold air, the other water. Green algae develop in water with an excess of light, then the water turns green or "blooms". They take oxygen from fish and create an unfavorable oxygen regime.

Some light-loving aquatic plants are themselves excellent indicators. For example, there is a light green limnophila with feathery leaves, according to its condition, aquarists determine whether to increase or decrease the lighting.

When limnophila develops well and maintains a bright color, then all flora and fauna are comfortable in this environment. With proper lighting and nutrition, the fish look alive and active, eat well and breed.

Often, the illumination of a room "reservoir" is used as an additional source of illumination in a long narrow room, especially on the opposite wall from the window. Aquarium LED Lighting - Interesting design technique in design modern apartments and offices.

Attention: The backlight should not be placed at the back of the aquarium - fish reveal the iridescent tint of scales only from the illuminated side. The correct location of the lamps is on top of the front wall.

Side lighting from the side of the window leads to an excess of rays and algae fouling on the glass. But on the dark side, you can use fitolamps if there are indoor flowers nearby that need to extend the daylight hours and the intensity of the rays.

The easiest way to DIY aquarium lighting is to place small bulbs and diodes in a flip cover. For this purpose, it is made in the form of a shallow box, fixed above a glass container. The dimensions of the aquarium and the box for lighting above it must match.

Important: Aquatic plants need combined lighting, so experts recommend combining fluorescent lamps (white and bluish light) and an ordinary incandescent light bulb. It gives a yellowish light, close in spectrum to the sun's rays.

A properly equipped lid should have a reflector, such as foil or a mirror surface. This technique protects the aquarium lid from overheating and directs light into the water column.

Long lamps of artificial light, as in the photo of lighting an aquarium, as a rule, do not overheat. But ordinary light bulbs, on a tungsten filament, give a lot of excess heat.

Often, the aquarium cover is equipped with chiseled LEDs - aesthetically pleasing and convenient, the water column is evenly translucent. But this will not be enough for plants, especially when the aquarium is deep.

And lamps that give a lot of heat overheat the surface of the water - fish can get burned. Water must be circulated and mixed from the cooler or during active oxygenation.

Tip: To prevent overheating of the water surface, raise the lamps some distance from the water.

Ways to fix the lamps above the aquarium:

• On suspension brackets (ceiling or furniture shelf).
• Fasten with a special metal clothespin at the front corner (some have table lamps with reflector).
• Side stops.
• Suction cups on the wall, at the front glass or under a shelf fixed above the aquarium.

The main types of lamps for aquarium lighting

• Halogen lamps are close to incandescent lamps, they have a low efficiency, if we talk about the radiation of the required spectrum. But they are suitable for combined lighting.

• Metal- halogen lamps, look innovative, give a wide range. Holders are required for installation on the lid.

• Fluorescent lamps have several modifications, used to extend the duration of lighting

• Compact or spiral fluorescent lamps (economical) – a good option for combined illumination.

The water column absorbs light, and the larger the aquarium, the deeper. Part of the light is retained by the plants themselves, and a minimum reaches the bottom forms.

Aquarists have found a solution to this problem - to plant plants in a cascade or amphitheater, so that the front wall has a clear "clearing" for watching the fish, and a whole "forest" has already risen to the back wall.

Aquarium lighting photo

One of the key factors for creating the optimal balance behind glass shores is right choice and installation of aquarium lighting. Light is the basis for plant growth and the normal life of fish, it favorably emphasizes details and allows you to focus on the main thing. Learn about the features of creating modern do-it-yourself lighting for an aquarium further.

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The simplest lighting option

• White - warm white light is suitable for both plant photosynthesis and for accentuating reds, oranges, golds and yellow flowers in fish;
• Royal blue spectrum - creates the effect of moonlight, enhances the beauty of neons and cichlids, emphasizes blue shades in water;
• Purple is an ideal spectrum for herbalists and planted aquaria, highlighting the greens, blues and reds of the inhabitants.

By combining LED lighting of various shades, you can achieve incredible optical effects in the pond, as well as create the most convenient conditions for the life of fish and plants. In this video you will learn how to make your own waterproof LED backlight.

Night

Night aquarium lighting is not used as the main source of light, but to watch your pets at night. Illumination of the moonlight type is made using diodes of blue and green colors. A little skill, boards, a microprocessor, mini-spotlights and other devices necessary for this business guarantee an amazing view of the aquarium in the dark. DIY aquarium - the best solution to decorate any room.

In a round aquarium

The round aquarium is an extremely popular design in the aquarium trade. Despite the compact size and the minimum number of inhabitants, the ball-pond must be equipped with all the means for the life of plants and animals. Lighting is one of those tools. The round aquarium, which is limited in size to a maximum of 30 liters, reduces the options for fitting fixtures. The best is the equipment on the round cover of the mount for the luminaire of fluorescent or LED lamps.

When choosing a backlight, it is necessary to take into account which species will live in it, which peaks of the spectrum are suitable for plant photosynthesis. It is necessary to calculate what lamp power will be needed to ensure photosynthesis of the entire number of plants. To do this, you need to know how many photons of light each type of plant should receive per day. The average is 0.5 W/liter of water. To illuminate herbalists, light is selected at the rate of 1 W or more per liter of water.

You also need to consider the duration of lighting - the natural habitat of many plants and animals in the water reservoir is in the tropical zone. Tropical fish and plants do not tolerate changes in daylight hours. Aquatic tropical inhabitants sleep 10-12 hours, the rest of the time they need light. Lighting in an aquatic ecosystem should take into account the natural daily cycle of its inhabitants. Illumination in an aquarium is an integral part of maintaining the life of its inhabitants.

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Video "Lighting the aquarium"

This video shows another version of the LED backlight that you can do yourself.

An aquarium is one of the most impressive decorations in any interior, and it cannot do without lighting. Daylight is not enough for guests from the water tropics, even when the aquarium is at the window, especially for a large aquarium in the back of the room. Well designed mini pond is one of additional elements artificial lighting in the apartment. Do-it-yourself aquarium lighting is easy to do, for example, using LEDs.

Why do you need light in an aquarium

In the water column, its own ecosystem is formed, based on the relationship between tropical aquatic plants, microorganisms and other inhabitants. Fish are the last link in this ecosystem, but they all need additional light to function normally. It is light that plays a decisive role in the development, reproduction and activation of the growth of aquatic plants. The process of photosynthesis, in which plants convert carbon dioxide from water into food, enriches the water with oxygen, and fish breathe it through their gills.

Without enough light, plants fade and degrade, stop propagating by cuttings and layering. The water must be well saturated with oxygen, otherwise the life of mollusks, crustaceans, fish and other inhabitants of the artificial water area is not possible. Green and purple aquarium plants do not absorb the entire spectrum, but part of the range.

Different types of lamps emit a slightly different spectral range, so often a combination of them is used to illuminate an aquarium - fluorescent, LED, halogen and incandescent lamps. AT winter time with their help, they increase the duration of daylight hours over a glass pond, like the tropics, but you should not illuminate the aquarium for more than 10 hours a day, and turn it off at night.

How to know if there is enough light for the inhabitants of the aquarium

A well-lit aquarium, preferably from the front from above, always pleases the eye - plants of a rich green color with shades of brown, yellowish and purple. Tropical fish are playful and active, and their scales shine with all the colors of the rainbow. However, due to the violation of the eco-balance, which directly depends on the purity of the water and lighting, aquarium troubles happen. Water sometimes blooms and becomes cloudy green, improperly selected light provokes the growth of single-celled green algae. When fish in muddy water greedily grab air at the surface, this is a lack of oxygen with an overabundance of lighting.

If, after installing the backlight and after 2-3 months, all the inhabitants of the aquarium are still quite comfortable, then this indicates optimal lighting. Signs - the water is clear, the fish show interest in food and reproduction, and the plants are actively growing. It also happens vice versa, when it is dark in the aquarium - the plants grow dull and degrade, covered with a black beard, appearance not happy, and everything speaks of its pollution and lack of light.

Tip: Sometimes, to enhance the effect, green, red, or green diodes are added to the backlight. of blue color. This is spectacular, but it only makes sense occasionally if guests come to visit or for the mood. With constant use, such experiments are unacceptable, and unnatural illumination depresses fish, negatively affects plant photosynthesis. Although the aquarium is an element of additional lighting in the apartment, it is still their home for its inhabitants. Such a disco, instead of simply lighting the aquarium with LED strip, harms the health of the inhabitants.

Lighting power calculation

It is usually recommended that the total power of LED lamps be about 1 W, but the amount of water in a home aquarium can be from 20 liters to 2 tons. For backlighting, LEDs of 0.2 W are most often used. To determine the number of lamps above your aquarium, there are complex formulas; in practice, for a 200 l aquarium, you will need an LED strip for 30 mini-bulbs of about 3 W or 25-40 spot LEDs.

Aquarists say that 0.5 W/liter of water is the optimal formula, but this is not accurate either - the higher and deeper the aquarium, the more difficult it is to illuminate the entire water column to the bottom. Visually, these characteristics can also be determined - the water and all the plants in it should be illuminated evenly from the bottom. Bottom-dwelling fish and snails need less light, and the plants still reach upwards. The fish themselves will determine where they are more comfortable - in the shaded part or closer to the surface, but plants are more sensitive and demanding to light due to photosynthesis.

The spectral range in aquarium lighting with LED lamps with combination lamps for illuminating aquatic plants is of great importance. They use the orange-red and violet-blue shade of the range. Combining fluorescent fitolamps and LED aquarium lighting, you can get full lighting that is comfortable for all its inhabitants.

How do you light up an aquarium?

1. A good source of lighting - halogen lamps, which are economical, brightly shine, additionally emit a little heat. They are made on the basis of mercury, and few people use them for lighting aquariums. However, as an alternative to incandescent lamps, they may well be suitable.

2. The simplest artificial lighting for an aquarium is an ordinary incandescent lamp, which gives a yellow spectrum that is acceptable for plants, it sets off red and yellow fish well. This spectrum is not enough for higher aquarium plants, but it contributes to the increased growth of phytoplankton and lower algae. Leaf plants gradually become smaller and turn pale, and if the lamp is too bright, the water blooms. The lamp, installed above the water, additionally heats the glass and water, creating discomfort for the fish, especially if the aquarium is not blown by the compressor. Such lighting is combined with other lamps, such as fluorescent lamps, such as LBU (universal), their spectrum is most suitable. Both lamps are mounted on a tall box above the aquarium, and its bottom is lined with foil to reflect and focus the light.

3. Fluorescent lamps are more durable and economical, they have diffused light, they give a wider spectrum. There are white and blue lamps according to the shade of the emitted light. 0.5 W/liter is enough for the aquarium, and a couple of lamps along the length of the aquarium with reflectors will provide illumination for an artificial reservoir of 200-500 liters. For the Dutch type of aquarium, with lush vegetation, choose 1800K and 1200K lamps with a warm spectrum, cold 6700K lamps are suitable for rocky terrain and predatory fish. Lamps with the right range are easier to purchase at the pet store, in the departments for aquarists. A combination of lamps will provide optimal lighting for plants.

4. LED lamps are the most best option. They are the most economical, do not heat the water, and do-it-yourself LED aquarium lighting is much easier to make. Their range is better than other options, spreading is more uniform, they do not harm plants and do not cause discomfort in fish. Their range provides great opportunities for combining color effects.

5. LED strip - as an additional option, it can also be used to illuminate the aquarium. And yet they are best combined with other light sources, due to the lack of spectral range.

How aquarium lighting is installed

The best visual effect is given by lighting the aquarium from above and in front, that is, at the front wall. Organically fit home ponds, mounted in cabinet furniture and a lid that opens on top for feeding fish. The special whatnots from the front-lit profile, where several identical aquariums with different inhabitants stand one above the other, also look beautiful. Perfectly fit into the interior and massive cabinets, as a stand for the aquarium, where the backlight is made of the same material in the form of a cover. If the lighting is mounted in a cabinet above the aquarium, then it must be covered with glass during the installation of the lighting equipment so that nothing falls into the water, and this worries the fish less.

To optimize the consumption of electricity, a thermal relay is placed on the heating pads, and an electric timer or circuit breaker is placed on the lighting. They turn the lights on and off without human intervention, which is convenient when busy. It is also important to consider the origin of most aquarium inhabitants - tropical fish need more high temperature water and prolonged lighting, and colder ones are not so demanding on this.

The main advantages of LED lighting

LED lamps have recently entered the everyday life of aquarists, but quickly became leaders in lighting. This happened due to many characteristics, and this type of lamp pushed aside other lighting fixtures.

1. Cost-effectiveness indicator - their cost is lower than other types of lamps, power consumption is also optimal with sufficient brightness.

2. In terms of efficiency, such lamps are slightly inferior to fluorescent lamps based on cold cathodes, CCFL, that is, their economic efficiency provides significant savings.

3. High strength, resistance to mechanical stress and insensitivity to vibrations due to the absence of thin spirals.

4. The durability of these lamps is impressive, the service life is up to 5 years, eliminating the cost of spare parts and frequent replacement.

5. The spectral range of LED lighting is favorable for aquarium inhabitants.

6. The greatest safety in handling these lamps is due to operation at low voltage. They are quite fireproof, as they are protected from the effects of high humidity and short circuits.

7. LEDs, even in operation for 8-10 hours, do not produce excess heat, allowing you to maintain the optimum temperature in the aquarium.

8. LED light bulbs, due to the absence of toxic components and the absence of infrared and ultraviolet radiation, it is considered to be highly environmentally friendly..

The only drawback of LED lighting is their high cost and the need to supply the rated operating voltage, you will need an additional power supply.

DIY aquarium LED lighting

The first way to make your own aquarium lighting with LEDs is the easiest, where you can additionally equip the lighting cover with special fitolamps. To do this, a white LED strip is fixed around the perimeter. This will give an optimal spectrum and the most uniform illumination around the upper perimeter of the aquarium. A self-adhesive-based LED strip filled with plastic is used, where it is removed protective layer and fastened around the perimeter of the box.

Such lighting is widely used for decorative purposes, but it cannot be an independent source of aquarium lighting. The insulation at the junction of the tape and the cord is made with a special transparent silicone used for aquariums. It will reliably protect the power cord from water ingress. The wires at the output are marked in red, this is a plus, and a minus is a black or blue wire. If the polarity is not correct, the LEDs will not work.

The second way is to collect full-fledged LED aquarium lighting of sufficient power without generators and sophisticated equipment. At 200-300 liters, 120 watts is enough for a heavily planted aquarium. This in total assumes 40 spot LEDs at 270 lumens, 3 watts each. The result will be an illumination of 10800 lumens, which will give a very bright illumination for a given volume. It is important to monitor the balance of the entire ecosystem, and with an excess of light and the development of green microorganisms, it is necessary to reduce the overall intensity.

The cost of such a design can vary greatly, since in online stores from the Chinese, for example, and from more reputable companies, you can find LEDs and power supplies of the same quality. However, prices may differ significantly.

For self-installation of the backlight you will need:

• set of led lamps
• 2-2.5 meters of plastic gutter 100 mm wide,
• 12 volt power supply, can be from a computer,
• soft wire 1.5 mm,
• preferably 6 computer coolers of 12 volts,
• 40 connector sockets for LEDs,
• cutter for processing holes of 48 mm.

Along the length of the aquarium, we will cut 2 pieces of the gutter, in the bottom of which we drill holes, about 20 pieces per meter, placing them in a checkerboard pattern. We insert LED lamps into the holes and fix them.

All lamps must be connected to the power supply in parallel to the 12 volt power supply. For a competent connection, it is better to contact an electrician, since the wiring diagram may seem complicated for people who are not experts in the field of attaching lamps to connectors. Computer coolers or fans should be installed when there is a lot of evaporation or heating of the cover for lighting.

For decorative purposes, sometimes they make additional night illumination, such as moonlight. To do this, connect a little blue LED strip, which can be installed behind the back wall, but so that it is below the bottom of the aquarium. The electric timer will be able to turn it on when the daylight goes out.