Again, depending on the kind of fish you have, you’ll want to think about color temperature. Regular fish tanks need about three watts of lighting power for every gallon of water in the tank. You’ll also need to consider the power of the lightbulbs you want to use. Photo by Tim Mossholder/Pexels Consider your fish tank hoodĭo you know what kind of hood your fish tank has? Knowing this will help determine what kind of lightbulb you can use to illuminate your aquarium (check with your pet store if you’re not quite sure). In this article, we’ll run down seven great tips that can make it easier to choose the best lighting for your fish tank. On the other hand, if your fish come from an environment filled with lots of plants and shade, your lighting system will probably need a different color temperature altogether. You’ll want to try to replicate that environment to the best of your ability.įor example, if you have a tank with tropical fish or fish that live in streams where light easily penetrates the water, you’ll want to invest in fish tank lighting with a color temperature that simulates the sun’s warm rays. To take care of your tank inhabitants in the best way possible, you must remember that each of them lives in specific natural conditions in the wild. Having the correct color of fish tank lighting is vital to the health and well-being of the fish, other creatures, and plants that call your aquarium home. Proper lighting adds a certain appeal to a fish tank, but it’s not just about the aesthetics. Think about the kind of aquarium you’re creating.Choose incandescent or fluorescent lighting.