The right saltwater aquarium lighting is critical for your tank's success

 Saltwater aquarium lighting systems can be challenging to choose.  If you decide that your aquarium will have only fish and no plants, your tank will require lighting for illumination and to establish the day-night cycle only.  If this is the case, your requirements are fairly basic.  Where saltwater aquarium lighting gets more complicated is when you have corals and invertebrates in your tank.

If this is what you have or want, you will require more light in order to generate energy.  This energy comes from photosynthesis.  When buying your corals, make sure to find out what type of lighting them need.  For low to medium light requirements, the most appropriate saltwater aquarium lighting would be high-output fluorescent lights including T5’s, VHO’s and powercompacts.

The required saltwater aquarium lighting for medium to high light corals is high intensity metal halide.  The best thing is establish a complete aquarium plan before purchasing any equipment including aquarium lighting, air pumps, heaters and other accessories.  This way you can grow your aquarium around your equipment versus have to buy new very time you add corals or plants.