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Aquarium Lighting

Light is extremely important for plants in a freshwater aquarium. This not only has a decorative function, but rather an essential function too. Under the effect of light, plants photosynthesise from the components of carbon dioxide and water, carbohydrates and sugar, the main components of the plant. Oxygen is released as a waste product, vitally important for fish and other organisms. Algae continually compete with plants for nutrients. In a balanced aquarium with low nitrate and phosphate values, sufficient plant stocks and correct fertilization and lighting, plant growth holds the spreading of algae at bay. If the lighting changes, even when the supply of nutrients remains the same, the algae which are adapting better to the lighting conditions can get the upper hand. This is not only due to gradual degradation of light caused by an ageing lamp. It can also be triggered by the complete replacement of all illuminants, because algae have produced extra pigment systems in order to utilise modified spectra spontaneously in the short term. It is essential to select or combine illuminants which cover the most suitable colour spectrum and prevent the age-related loss of power resulting from frequent replacement. In order to combat the cause and not the effect, light-dependent algae prophylaxis (prevention) is significant in selecting a suitable illuminant for the aquarium.

For potential lighting set-ups refer to the table below. PL = Plant-Light, FL = Freshwater-Light, SL = Solar-Light, AL = Actinic-Light and ML = Marine-Light.

Lighting table

Lighting for closed aquaria - HOBBY fluorescent tubes T8 technology

Plant-Light

Plant-Light

Fluorescent tube promoting plant growth and stimulating photosynthesis. Colour-enhancing effect through high proportion of red and blue. Usable in combination with Freshwater Light or Solar Light. Also suitable for planted terraria.

Item no. 37414, 15w, 45cm

Item no. 37416, 18w, 60cm

Item no. 37420, 30w, 90cm

Item no. 37422, 36w, 120cm

Item no. 37424, 38W, 105cm

Freshwater-Light

Freshwater-Light

Full spectrum lamp for freshwater aquaria. Inhibits algae growth through natural colour spectrum with colour rendition index 1A. Ideal for sparsely planted aquaria, can be used in combination with Plant Light for normal to densely planted aquaria. Also suitable for terraria animals without UV-B requirement.

Item no. 37428, 15w, 45cm

Item no. 37430, 18w, 60cm

Item no. 37434, 30w, 90cm

Item no. 37436, 36w, 120cm

Item no. 37438, 38W, 105cm

Solar-Light

Solar-Light

Universal aquarium lamp imitating sunny waters such as the lakes in East Africa. Inhibits algae growth through natural colour spectrum. Ideal for high, sparsely planted aquariua, can be used in combination with Plant Light for high, planted aquaria. Can be used in terraria in combination with Reptile Light for animals with reduced UV-B requirement.

Item no. 37442, 15w, 45cm

Item no. 37444, 18w, 60cm

Item no. 37448, 30w, 90cm

Item no. 37450, 36w, 120cm

Item no. 37452, 38W, 105cm

Marine-Light

Marine-Light

Special cool white lamp with high colour temperature (20,000K) and luminous efficiency for use as a daylight lamp in marine water aquaria. Intensifies coral colours through promotion of the photosynthesis of symbiosis algae. In combination with Actinic Light corresponds to the light found in natural coral reefs.

Item no. 37456, 15w, 45cm

Item no. 37458, 18w, 60cm

Item no. 37462, 30w, 90cm

Item no. 37464, 36w, 120cm

Item no. 37466, 38W, 105cm

Actinic-Light

Actinic-Light

Special actinic blue lamp. Promotes the development and activity of corals and invertebrates. Activates photosynthesis of the zooxanthella vital for corals. In combination with Marine Light it corresponds to the light found in natural coral reefs. In freshwater aquaria also for moonlight simulation.

Item no. 37470, 15w, 45cm

Item no. 37472, 18w, 60cm

Item no. 37476, 30w, 90cm

Item no. 37478, 36w, 120cm

Item no. 37480, 38W, 105cm

HQ-Lamp

HQ-Lamp 80w

Mercury vapour spotlights for aquaria and terraria. Bright, white light. High luminous efficiency. Ballast resistor necessary. Colour temperature 4,619 kelvin, colour rendition 42 Ra, luminous intensity 2,911 lm.

Item no. 37300

HQ-Lamp 125 W

Colour temperature 5,087 kelvin, colour rendition 32 Ra, luminous intensity 5,812 lm.

Item no. 37305

Ballast Resistor

Ballast Resistor

For the operation of HQ-Lamps or HOBBY UV Ultra Lux UV-B spotlights. 80 and 125 W connections both in one unit.

Item no. 37258

INFO

Helios T5 Lighting

The helios is a twin ballast unit with individual switches, 3 metres of cable from ballast to tube socket. It includes a reflector and condensation cover. The flourescent tubes are not included so that a choice can be made from different combinations of colours to achieve different lighting effects. For more details click on the link below.

Python EggLite

The EggLite from Python Products is very versatile. This compact 10 watt spot light is submersible, therefore it can be used for a variety of applications. It is suitable for fresh or salt water as well as dry conditions. It comes complete with its own transformer, is easy to set up and can be poised at angles and used with the included colour lenses to create magenta, blue, green and yellow effects. The manufacturers recommend it for many uses including aquaria, garden statuary, fountains, garden pool & ponds and patio accent lighting. We currently have a special offer on the EggLite, so for more details on this or other Python Products, click on the link below.

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T8 Lighting

If we want optimum plant growth in the aquarium, the most important selection criteria for all plant pigment systems is whether the light spectrum complies with the spectral possibilities of use. To date the full spectrum fluorescent tubes T8 technology still offers the maximum compliance. One single illuminant which nearly matches natural sunlight is up until now not physically viable. This does not represent a problem for an aquarist. Depending on the region of provenance of fish and plants there are completely different lighting conditions in nature. These natural conditions are based on a combination of HOBBY fluorescent tubes with different light spectrums.

HOBBY aquarium lighting tubes are available in five lengths, 45cm, 60cm, 90cm, 120cm and 105cm to suit most sizes of aquarium. The Plant-Light can also be used in planted terraria, the Freshwater-Light is suitable for terraria animals without UV-B requirement and the Solar-Light can be used for terrariums with reduced UV-B requirement.

By use of at least two different fluorescent light tubes, the natural course of the day can be simulated with delayed switching on and off. A daily lighting period of at least 12 hours is considered as optimal. For the first and last two hours only a third or half of the tubes should be switched on. The highest colour temperatures should be reached in the middle of the day. For moonlight simulation the HOBBY Actinic Light can be used in all tanks.