Backlight for aquarium from LEDs with their own hands. Correct calculation and manufacture of LED backlighting aquarium with your own hands than to glue the lamp in the aquarium

The functioning of any aquarium directly depends on the level of its illumination. When choosing a type of lighting for any aquarium, its depth, volume and type of reservoir, population are taken into account. The optimal option for hydrobionts is LED lamps that allow you to easily select the desired color mode, ensure the most suitable conditions for plants and fish.

In this article:

Benefits LED lighting

LED lighting for aquarium in contrast to luminescent has a multitude of advantages. The LED lamp can be easily assembled with their own hands, it is characterized by economical energy consumption, while it is possible to adjust the spectrum and color temperature using special controllers.

Among the advantages of lighting ice should be highlighted:

large selection of constructive performance of lamps;
economical consumption of electricity;
excellent indicators and stability of light flux, spectrum;
environmental friendliness;
excellent protection of the lamp from mechanical influences, you can install lamps resistant to spraying or wetting.

LED lighting aquarium

You can not pay attention to the fact that the LED panels and lamps for aquariums can be collected with their own hands, while the cost of the finished product will be much smaller than the factory.

Selection of LEDs for aquarium

When choosing a type of fixture, many parameters must be taken into account. This applies to the size of an aquarium, its type, reference requirements and methods of lamps. For work, you can use ice ribbons, spotlights or lamps, calculating their power and quantity, given the standards and requirements for the organization of light for tanks of various types. For example, for herbalists, a bright light for photosynthesis will be required, for some species of fish, a daily change of the level of illumination is required.

LED spotlights

When organizing the right light in an open-type aquarium, you can use LED spotlights. Such lamps give a very bright light that easily pulls out to the bottom even in the deepest tanks. But for large Dutch aquariums requires a minimum of two or three lamps by 50 W each. For conventional tanks per 100 liters, there are enough two searchlights of 25 W.

The color depends on the purpose of the lamp - for conventional daylight lighting, white lamps are used, blue spotlights are used for night with imitation of the lunar light. It should be positioned so that they evenly illuminated all the container, not leaving dark corners.

LED lamp

The most common option for the aquarium is the ice lamp. They are used for small aquariums with a capacity of up to 50 liters, providing a bright, stable light necessary for fish and plants. For large tanks, it is better to choose large panels with several lamps, suspended systems or lamps mounted on brackets.

Manufacturers are offered various versions of such lamps, the most famous are systems from Aqualighter intended for marine or freshwater aquariums. These are multifunctional models with the possibility of changing the color temperature, daily color change, pre-installed modes. Such systems can be based on the design of its own lighting system.

LED ribbons

LED tape lighting Not so long ago was used only for small aquariums, but today the similar method is suitable for large tanks with a capacity of 200 liters. But when choosing, you should give preference to ribbons with high power, for example, SMD 3528 for a large aquarium are not suitable. Preference is better to give SMD 5050, SMD 5730 and another with an emission of 18 lm for each diode. But when planning independently, the manufacture of the luminaire should immediately prefer the cooling system.

Features of the choice of lighting

When choosing backlighting for aquariums, it is important to consider the following parameters:

capacity content, view of the inhabitants and plants in the aquarium;
accounting for standard parameters (the minimum value is 0.5 W per liter);
the selection of the LED lamp (already ready or collected with their own hands "from scratch");
constructive execution, which depends on the dimensions and depth of the tank (spotlights, rules, lamps on brackets or suspensions);
equipment kit (lighting controllers, timers, controllers for daily change in color and spectrum);
features of operation (protected from moisture or ordinary splashes).

LED backlight with air sprayer

There is a large selection of already ready-made lamps of famous brands. When purchasing it is recommended to give preference to them, since cheap Chinese do not always comply with the stated requirements, and this can lead to a disease of the inhabitants of the aquarium and overgrow it with algae walls.

Features of the calculation of the lamp for aquarium

Holding the level of illumination for aquarium, it is necessary to take into account the adopted standards and features of the tanks. It is believed that 0.5 watts of power and 40 lm brightness of the light flux are required per liter of water. But for aquariums of various types, these indicators may vary, for example, for very deep tanks, the parameters are multiplied by 2.

For herbalists with rare plants and for Dutch aquariums, it is necessary to ensure the luminous flux at the level of 60 lm and more at 0.8-1 watts per liter. When planning the lighting of elongated, deep aquarium standards can be different. In any case, it is necessary to approach the choice of the lamp individually.

LED lamp for aquarium collar aqualighter 2 22 W

It should be remembered that for every 10 cm depth the level of the light stream decreases at least 50%. Types of plants, requirements for oxygen content and many other parameters are taken into account. It is important to remember that photosynthesis for plants in saturation takes only at the level of lighting from 400 Umol / (M2 * S), that is, the light should be intense. An important factor is the presence of soil plants, anabias and others.

We collect the lamp do it yourself

When installing the lighting system for aquarium with plants, it is necessary to immediately determine the variant of the lamp. The most popular and most simple is the use of ice ribbons, for example, a five-meter ribbon with SMD 5050 diodes, which is 0.2 watts, will be enough for a standard aquarium.

The tape is attached to the aquarium lid in the form of a snake, while the direction may be different, but it is very important to observe the same density of LEDs. Fix the lamp should be fixed using silicone glue, the starting device and the power supply must be positioned only from the outside to ensure the right heat exchange and prevent moisture from entering them.

The second method is more difficult, it requires certain skills, but it is worth it. For this, instead of a standard lid over the aquarium, a diamond or a rectangular lamp is arranged, providing lighting with a brightness of 10,000 lm and a capacity of 120 W. Such a lamp is enough for aquarium with a volume of 200-300 liters.

The technical characteristics of such a lamp will not give way to the ready-made factory, but their value will be much lower. For the assembly it will take about 40 ice lamps of 3 W each, color - white, blue, red, with green, you need to be careful, as it can provoke accelerated algae growth. Exclude green diodes will be completely incorrect, but constant balance of balance is required to eliminate the growth of the unfavorable environment.

Lama is best to take foreign production of such brands like Osram and Philips, although Era, Feron, Gauss are perfectly suitable. To assemble the lamp for aquarium with a volume of 200-300 liters, you will need:

lED tape, ice lamps;
plastic chute with 2 meters long and 10 cm wide (the length will depend on the dimensions of the aquarium itself);
12V power supply, there is the ability to connect lighting to a stationary computer;
wire with a cross section of 1.5 mm;
air conditioning for 6-12 V;
lAMP connectors (40 pieces, by number of lamps, for tape connectors are not needed);
the tool for the slit holes by 48 mm.

Backlight for Aquarium from LED Tape

It is necessary to start with the preparation of the base - two chute and holes in a checkerboard are cut in the plastic design. LEDs will be inserted into these holes that are very important to securely secure. All lamps are connected by a soft wire, then connected to the power supply. The fan is placed on the heated area from the outer part of the structure.

If only white lamps are used for the lamp, then the tape must take blue to imitate the moonlight. It is attached on the back wall, it is possible to include it only at night or in combination with white light, ensuring the coverage of the required spectrum.

In general, making the calculation of LED lamps, it is necessary to focus on the following indicators - 0.5 W per liter of water, if the aquarium is very deep, then the lamp is taken on the liter. Also taken into account the purpose of the aquarium, for example, for a herbal, it is necessary bright, good lighting, without which photosynthesis will be simply impossible.

In addition, choosing lighting, we must take into account the spectrum and color temperature. For plants and inhabitants of aquarium of different species, they can be completely different. The level of illumination should be uniform, a daily change of light is necessary to ensure the health of your pets.

Conclusion

LED lamps for aquariums gradually displacing fluorescent lamps as more economical and efficient. The life of their operation is much larger, and the consumption of electricity is lower, it is also possible to independently install various types of lamps.

Thinking about what the aquarium would be not bad, it is necessary to take care not only about the bank and its inhabitants. For the successful content of plants and fish, it is necessary to correctly make the lighting aquarium. For this, there are special lamps, but they are worth a lot, and make the simplest with their own hands will not be difficult. It is only necessary to deal with how many lamps it is necessary, what power and "color".

When creating the lighting of the aquarium, the main task is to simulate solar light as close as possible. Since almost all the aquarium "population" comes from the equator, it is necessary to recreate the tropics mode. First, it is the same (or almost the same) duration of the daytime throughout the year (10-12 hours).

The lighting of the aquarium with your own hands is not easy, but everything can be done ...

Secondly, the changeable lighting intensity: peak at noon and a few-seer hours and moderate lighting at another time of the day. If the lighting of the aquarium is done according to these principles, its inhabitants will delight you with a bright color, and plants - lush greens and rapid growth. It is possible to implement such a "multi-level" lighting with a large number of lamps (not one powerful, but several less powerful) and timer / controller, which will automatically change the level of illumination.

Calculation of power lamps

Pre-assess the power of lamps required for lighting aquarium, it can be based on the common principle - to determine the necessary lighting by the amount of water in the container. It is water. Not volume of banks, but the amount of water. That is, from the capacity of the container it is necessary to subtract the air layer and the volume displaced by the soil. According to the amount of water and the type of aquarium (marine, freshwater, herbal), the nature of the inhabitants (bottom, loving shadows or light) consider approximately required lighting power. For aquariums of different types, there are recommendations that are reduced to the table for convenience.

According to this table

Knowing the volume of water in your aquarium, on this table is easy to calculate the required power of the lamps. But data is given for incandescent and halogen lamps. If the aquarium is raised them - no problems. If it is decided to use other types, you will have to recalculate. You can do it again:

when using fluorescent lamps, their power is considered to be 1/3 of the figures found;
when installing LED - 1/7.

Approximately the same pattern is reflected in the following photo. You can focus on the table.

Do not think that this is all. It is still necessary to take into account a bunch of factors - the depth of the aquarium, the transparency of the water, the height of the light source ... and each parameter can make adjustments to the found figure. Moreover, many aquarists believe that the optimal lighting of the aquarium can only be chosen experimentally, since the "theoretical" calculation is not so much and take into account all the factors simply unreal. So make lighting aquarium with your own hands not easy. But we have already found the base - an approximate brightness of light sources. You can rely on this figure, in the future changing it.

Consider the depth of aquarium

As you know, passing through the thickness of the water, the light loses its brightness significantly. It is believed that every 10 cm is torn 50% of its brightness. That is, if the illumination surface is 2000 LCs, at a depth of 50 cm there will be a little more than 60 lm. This situation is clearly demonstrated in the following figure. Because the higher the tank, the more brighter there should be lighting.

The normal state of the aquarium will be only if the light goes to its bottom in the required quantity. The minimum on the bottom of the illumination should be 60-90 lm. Knowing the parameters of your container and the calculated lighting brightness, you can calculate an approximate amount of light that the bottom will reach. If it is below the specified norm, the brightness increases until it is within the required limits.

Location of lamps for the backlight of the aquarium

Most often lamps for lighting aquarium are located on top. This is logical - the sun also shines from above. But the lamps can be located near the surface of the water, leaning on the edges of the jars, and may be on the suspension - at a distance of several dozen centimeters from the water mirror. The installation method is chosen depending on the amount of heat released by lamps. Just do not forget that suspended lamps should be even brighter - to compensate for the scattering light.

If the lamp is one, it is shifted to the side of the greatest cluster of plants - to the rear wall of the aquarium

If there was a need to hang the lamp - here everyone solves the problem in its own way. Depending on the possibilities, representations, the degree of skill or fantasy. Someone makes the rods that are attached to the wall or sex, someone gets off the suspension ceiling. Some craftsmen make supporting structures with a support on the edges of the jar ...

So that the maximum amount of light falls into the water, the lamp is shielded by reflective lids. In the factory execution, it is most often a thin sheet of polished stainless steel, with independent manufacture often use foil.

Number of lamps and their placement

The light in the aquarium is most often done with linear lamps. This is more convenient when installing, the illumination is more uniform. The tube may be one or more. If the light source is one, it is necessary to position it so that it covers all the plants. In this case, the tube has an emotion from the distant edge of the can of about 2/5 of its width. Why not in the middle? Because most of the plants are concentrated precisely near the rear wall and they need more light. If there are two or more tubes, they are still more displaced to the rear wall of the cans - the reasons are all the same.

In the forehead case, a non-linear shape of the cover also helps to redirect light, in which reflectors redirect light. Firms engaged in the issuance of aquarium equipment conduct studies on this topic, and if the aquarium lighting makes them, try to copy their development. And often homemade gives the best results.

When using classic lamps, they are placed at equal intervals. Depending on the number of lamps, in one, two or three rows. If there are two or more rows, it is better to place them with a displacement - in a checker order. If several lamps are used, during the selection, their power is taken with some reserve. After all, it is long known that one lamp is 100 W gives more light than two to 50 W.

Types of lamps for light in the aquarium

Finding the lamp for the lighting aquarium is not easy. It is not only in power, but also in the spectrum that they emit. The selection of the spectrum or the temperature of the glow is difficult and individual, and we will talk about choosing a type of lamps from the point of view of their technical characteristics.

Incandescent lamps

These lamps have two advantages - low cost and spectrum, as close as possible to the one that radiates the midday sun. But these advantages are crossed by two fatty minuses: the extensive consumption of electricity and a huge amount of heat, radiated by the flask.

When used to illuminate the aquarium of incandescent lamps, the accounts will be received large. To the expenditures on the actual lighting, energy will be added to the operation of fans, with which heat is removed. A large amount of heat also imposes restrictions on materials that are used for the manufacture of the lamp. They must be heat-resistant. All this was the reason that these lamps practically refused. There may be examples of single use in combination lighting - just to create a "midday" light peak.

Aquarium lighting: Fluorescent lamps

These lamps are more economical in terms of electricity consumption - "pull" 3 times less electricity. There are in two kinds - with a standard basement or in the form of tubes (linear). They are also warm much less, but require special lamps, as special devices are needed. There are minus in these lamps - they change the spectrum of radiated light over time. Therefore, every 6-12 months they change them. Even if they continue to work. Just the light emitted by them ceases to "like" plants, they begin to stick.

Tubular fluorescent lamps are with different spectrum of emitted light. Here the choice is very wide, it is necessary to select the aquarium under the "population". They also have three diameters, but for the backlight of aquarium plants is usually used T8 and T5. And more popular in - T8. They though rather thick, but cost much cheaper than the "fives". And since they are still changing them at one time, it is rational to buy "eights".

There are three more technologies for which fluorescent lamps are produced. NO - household class lamps with low luminescence levels. Can be applied in shallow aquariums - with a waterpover height of no more than 50 cm. Two other class VHO (Very High Output) and Ho (High Output) are shine more brightly, but also cost much more expensive. They can cover deeper containers.

Metal halogen

These are very bright lamps that are used when the water column in the aquarium is 60 cm and above. If you want to have on the bottom "Solar bunnies", the game of light and shadow, you need a MGL lamp. They have a view of a tube with clamped edges, in which contact "legs" are displayed, they are inserted into special connectors that are attached to the lid of the aquarium. Scrap metalworgled lamps can also be with a standard basement.

The minus of this lamp is a considerable price and a significant amount of heat that stands out when working. The price is compensated for by a long service life, and the problem of heat leads is solved by the lamp suspension. The height is desirable at least 30 cm above the water level. The brightness of the lamp is quite large, so on the bottom of the world will still be enough.

LEDs

This type of lamps appeared relatively recently, but gradually becomes more and more popular. LEDs have very good characteristics. Today, they consume the least energy, have a long service life, the light can be emitted any spectrum and are warm. They have a feature - they work from reduced voltage - 12 V or 24 V. To connect to a regular network, an adapter is required (converter). It is not very convenient and requires additional costs, but improves safety, since such a health stress is not dangerous. By the aggregate of these reasons, the lighting of the aquarium is increasingly done using LEDs.

They are produced in several forms:

What else attracts the LEDs - it is easy to adjust the lighting brightness by setting the usual regulator, or make up the connection scheme so that it can be turned on gradually, quite accurately reproducing the change in illumination during the daylight.

LEDs during operation still highlight heat, but their body is heated. It is easier to get so warm - mount them on a metal plate, and to put the cooler on top (low-power and inappropriate fans). Plates are better to take aluminum, ribbed, which are often called the radiator.

Aquarium is one of the most impressive and bright jewelry of each interior. Unfortunately, it cannot do without additional backlight. This is due to the fact that daylight its inhabitants are simply not enough, even if the aquarium is accommodated by the window. In addition, the mini-reservoir is properly decorated with an excellent source of additional backlight in the house. We will tell you how to make lighting for aquarium with your own hands so that it is ideal for your water pets and harmoniously fit into the overall interior.

Why do you need light?

According to the laws of nature, its ecosystem is formed in the thickness of the water, which is based on a close relationship between aquatic plants, a variety of microorganisms and its other inhabitants. As for fish, this is the last link of this ecosystem, which also requires an additional source of light for normal life. In addition, light plays a huge role in the development, activation of growth and reproduction of aquatic plants. This is due to the process of photosynthesis, during which carbon dioxide, which is in the thickness of water, is recycled plants. Thus, the water is enriched with oxygen, which the fish breathe. If there are not enough light, the plants begin to fill up and cease to multiply.

Important! Pay attention to the fact that green and purple water plants in the aquarium absorb not the entire spectrum, but a part of the range.

In order to make a lamp for aquarium with their own hands, it should be considered that different types of lamps emit a different spectral range. That is why it is very often for additional lighting aquarium, their combination is used, and not separately.

Important! In the cold season, the duration of the daylight increases with the help of additional illumination. But the aquarium is not recommended for more than 10 hours, so the light should be turned off at night.

How to determine whether the aquarium residents are enough?

The main feature of the good backlight of the aquarium is the plants of a saturated green color, with a variety of shades of yellow, purple and brown colors. Fish, in turn, active and playful, and their scales will be blocked by all the colors of the rainbow.

Important! Due to the violation of the eco-balance, which depends on the purity of water and the correct lighting, the water begins to bloom and becomes muddy green. Accordingly, the fish lack the oxygen, they begin to actively grab the air at the surface.

If after installing additional backlight after 2-3 months, the inhabitants of the aquarium feel comfortable, it means that the lighting was installed correctly.

Important! Sometimes in order to enhance the effect, in the backlight add blue and green diodes. It is used exclusively for decorative purposes. Unfortunately, such lighting is not recommended to include often, as it negatively affects photosynthesis of plants and depresses fish.

How to calculate lighting power?

In order to make the aquarium backlight with their own hands, it is necessary to initially calculate the lighting capacity, since the vital activity of its inhabitants directly depends on this:

The standard is the total power of all LED lamps about 1 W, but the amount of water should be in the range of 20 liters-2 tons.

Important! To illuminate the aquarium, the LEDs of 0.2 watts are mainly used.

As for a more accurate determination of the number of lamps, there are rather complex formulas for calculation. For example, a 200 liter Aquarium will require a LED tape with a number of paws of 30 pieces or individual point LEDs about 25-40 pieces and 3 W.
In practice, the most correct is the ratio of 0.5 W per 1 liter of water. But it, unfortunately, not accurate, as the higher the walls of the aquarium, the more difficult it is to highlight the water to the bottom. In addition, you can and visually determine this parameter. Plants should be lit uniformly to the bottom.

Important! Pay attention to the fact that the spectral lighting range of LED lamps is of great importance for the inhabitants of the aquarium. This is due to the fact that they use purple blue and orange shade. Therefore, combining fluorescent lamps and LED lighting, you can get a full illumination that will be comfortable for all residents.

Select instruments for the lighting aquarium

Most often, the following types of lighting devices are used to illuminate the bedroom mini-reservoirs.

Halogen lamps

They are quite economical, shine brightly, while there are some heat. Such lamps are made on the basis of mercury, so it is quite rare to illuminate the aquariums. But as an alternative to incandescent lamps, halogen will be quite appropriate.

Normal incandescent lamp

It gives a yellow spectrum that is acceptable to the inhabitants of the reservoir. Unfortunately, this spectrum is not enough for high aquarium plants. As for leafy, then with such light, they gradually flashed and pale.

Important! If the incandescent lamp shines too bright, then water begins to bloom.

Such a backlight additionally heats the water and glass, thereby creating discomfort for fish. Therefore, the incandescent lamp is not recommended as an independent lighting device, and it is better to combine it with others, for example, luminescent.

Luminescent

They are rather durable and economical. Due to the fact that the light in such lamps is scattered, the lighting spectrum also becomes wider. The aquarium is enough standard proportion of 0.5 W / liter, and several additional light bulbs located along the entire length of the aquarium.

Important! For a Dutch type of aquarium, with the presence of violent vegetation, the incandescent lamps of 1800 K and 1200 K. are selected

LED bulbs

This is the most optimal option. This is due to the fact that they are economical, while water does not warm. Make the LED light in the aquarium with their own hands easily. Dispersion will be more uniform, due to which the lamps do not harm plants and do not cause discomfort among fish.

Important! At the expense of a large range of various colors, you will have the possibility of combining and creating a variety of designer effects.

LED Strip Light

It is mainly used as an additional element for the lighting of aquarium. Due to the lack of spectral range, the LED ribbon should be combined with other lighting devices.

How to install lighting for aquarium?

It is best to set backlight from above and at the front wall of the aquarium.
In addition, it looks very organic when the domestic reservoirs are mounted in the cabinet furniture, and the fish feeding lid is placed on top.
Also, the original solution will be special shells, which are made of a backlit profile in front.
Quite often uses special stands as a stand, where the backlight is made in the form of a lid.

Important! If the lighting is mounted above the aquarium in the closet, it should be covered with glass at the installation time, so that nothing fell into the water and did not disturb the fish and other water inhabitants.

To optimize the consumption of electricity on the heating plants, they put a special thermoster, and on the lighting - electritemer, due to which they produce the inclusion and turning off the light without additional intervention of people.

Important! When installing the aquarium backlight, it is very important to take into account the origin of its inhabitants. For example, tropical fish need warm water and long-term lighting.

How to make a LED lamp for aquarium with your own hands?

Make an independent LED lamp for homemade mini-reservoirs in two ways.

Method number 1.

This is the easiest option in which you can equip the lighting lid equipped with special light bulbs. To do this, it is necessary to secure the white led tape on the perimeter. Due to this, you will get the optimal spectrum and uniform backlight.

Important! For these purposes, it is best to use a glulse plastic self-adhesive LED tape.

Such illumination is often used in decorative purposes. Unfortunately, it cannot be used as an independent source of aquarium lighting.

Method No. 2.

It consists in collecting full-fledged LED lighting aquarium of sufficient power without connecting additional generators and complex equipment.

Important! For an aquarium volume of 200-300 liters, 120 W is considered sufficient power. This implies 40 point LEDs of 3 W each to 270 lumens. As a result - you will get quite bright and full lighting.

The cost of such a design varies, depending on the quality and price position of the LEDs and power supplies.

For self-installing this illumination, you will need the following materials and tools:

A set of LED lamps;
Gutter 100 millimeters plastic width;
12 volts power supply;

Important! You can use a computer power supply for the manufacture of the backlight for aquarium.

Soft wire with a diameter of 1.5 millimeters;
6 computer coolers;
40 pieces of landing places for LEDs;
Mill for processing holes with a diameter of 48 millimeters.

The sequence of action is:

Cut 2 gutters of equal length of the aquarium.
Drill holes, placing them in a checker with a frequency of 1 meter 20 pieces.
Insert the LED lamps into the finished holes, secure them.
All light bulbs connect to the power unit.

Important! Computer coolers are installed in the presence of high evaporation and high heating of the lighting cover.

In order for the inhabitants of the aquarium to please you daily with their beauty and activity, it is very important to provide them with the right care, which includes a competently installed backlight. Applying the advice of our specialists in practice, you can correctly calculate the required number of lighting and their power, and your small homemade reservoir will become not only the main highlight of the interior, but also a favorite place to collect the whole family.

Aquarium is one of the most impressive decorations of any interior, and it cannot do without backlighting. Daylight Guests from aquatic tropics is not enough, even when the aquarium is at the window, especially for a large aquarium in the depths of the room. Well-decorated mini-water - one of the additional elements of artificial illumination in the apartment. Aquarium lighting with your own hands is easy, for example, with the help of LEDs.

Why do you need light in aquarium

In the thickness of the water, its ecosystem is formed, it is based on the relationship between tropical aquatic plants, microorganisms and other inhabitants. Fish is the last link of this ecosystem, but they need additional light for normal life. The defining role in the development, reproduction and activation of the growth of water plants is played by the light. The process of photosynthesis, in which carbon dioxide gas from water plants is processed into the power, enriches water with oxygen, and the fish breathe them through the gills.

Without a sufficient amount of light, the plants fade and degraded, cease to multiply with stalling and tanks. Water should be well saturated with oxygen, otherwise the life of mollusks, crustaceans, fish and other inhabitants of artificial water area are possible. Green and purple aquarium plants absorb not the whole spectrum, and part of the range.

Different types of lamps emit a slightly different spectral range, so it is often for the lighting of aquarium using their combination - luminescent, LED, halogen and incandescent lamps. In winter, with their help, they increase the duration of the daylight over the glass reservoir, like the tropics, but the aquarium does not cost more than 10 hours a day, and on the night it is turned off.

How to find out if there is enough light in the inhabitants of the aquarium

A well-referenced aquarium is preferably in front of the top, always pleases the eye - the plants of a saturated green color with shades of brown, yellowish and lilac. Tropical fish playful and active, and their scales are spinning with all the colors of the rainbow. However, due to the violation of the eco-balance, which directly depends on the purity of water and lighting, aquarium trouble happens. Water sometimes blooms and becomes a muddy green, incorrectly lined light provokes the growth of single-celled green algae. When the fish in muddy water greedily grab air at the surface - this is a lack of oxygen when the illumination is rebuilt.

If after setting the backlight and after 2-3 months, all the inhabitants of the aquarium are still quite comfortable, this indicates optimal lighting. Signs - transparent water, fish show interest in food and reproduction, and plants are actively growing. It happens on the contrary, when the aquarium is dark in the aquarium - the plants are faded and degraded, covering the black beard, the appearance does not please, and everything speaks of its pollution and a lack of light.

Tip: Sometimes green, red or blue diodes are added to enhance the effect of the effect. It is spectacular, but it makes sense only occasionally, if you come to visit or for mood. With constant use, such experiments are unacceptable, and unnatural illumination depressing fish, negatively affects photosynthesis of plants. Although an aquarium is an element of additional highlighting in the apartment, but for its inhabitants, they are still their home. Such a disco, instead of simple lighting aquarium LED ribbon, harms the health of the inhabitants.

Calculation of lighting power

It is usually recommended that the total power of LED lamps amounted to about 1 W, but the amount of water in the home aquarium can be from 20 liters to 2 tons. For highlighting, LEDs are most often used. To determine the number of lamps above its aquarium, there are complex formulas, in practice on 200 liters, the aquarium will require an LED tape on 30 mini-bulbs about 3 W or 25-40 point LEDs.

The aquarists claim that 0.5 W / liter of water is the optimal formula, but it is not exactly - the higher the aquarium, the more difficult it is to highlight the entire water turn to the bottom. Visually, you can also determine these characteristics - water and all plants in it should be highlighted to donomose evenly. The bottom fishes and snails need less light, and the plants still stretch up. Fish themselves will determine where they are comfortable - in the shaded part or closer to the surface, but the plants are more sensitive and demanding towards the light due to photosynthesis.

The spectral range in the lighting of the aquarium by LED lamps with the combination of lamps to illuminate aqueous plants is of great importance. They use orange-red and purple-blue shade of the range. Combining luminescent phytolamby and LED lighting aquarium, you can get full-fledged lighting, comfortable for all its inhabitants.

Than light aquarium

1. A good source of lighting - halogen lamps, which are economical, brightly shine, additionally highlight 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 and they can quite approach.

2. The simplest artificial lighting for aquarium is a conventional incandescent lamp, which gives a yellow spectrum, acceptable to plants, it extensively shadows red and yellow fish. Such a spectrum is not enough for higher aquarium plants, but it contributes to the enhanced growth of phytoplankton and lower algae. Sheet plants gradually flashed and pale, and if the lamp is too bright - water blooms. The lamp installed above the water additionally warms the glass and water, creating discomfort for fish, especially if the aquarium is not flushed with the compressor. Such lighting is combined with other lamps, such as luminescent, type of forehead (universal), their spectrum is most suitable. Both lamps are mounted on a high box above the aquarium, and its bottom is lined with foil - for reflection and focusing light.

3. Fluorescent lamps are more durable and economical, they have scattered light, they give a wider spectrum. There are white and blue on the shade of the lamp emitted light. The aquarium is enough 0.5 W / liter, and a pair of lamps along the length of the aquarium with reflectors will provide the backlight of the artificial reservoir by 200-500l. For a Dutch type of aquarium, with brown vegetation, the lamps 1800K and 1200K with a warm spectrum are selected, cold lamps 6700K are suitable for rocky relief and predatory fish. The lamps with the desired range is easier to purchase in the pet store, in the departments for aquarists. Combining lamps will provide optimal lighting for plants.

4. LED lamps are the most optimal option. They are most economical, do not warm water, and the LED lighting of the aquarium do it yourself much easier. Their spectrum is better than other options, dishoning is more uniform, they do not harm plants and do not cause discomfort among fish. Their range gives great opportunities for combining color effects.

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

How is aquarium lighting

The best visual effect gives the backlight of the aquarium from above and in front, that is, at the front wall. Homemade water bodies, mounted in the cabinet furniture and opening on top of the fish fit organically fit. Beautifully look at the special shelfs from the backlit profile from the front, where a few identical aquariums with different inhabitants stand above the other. Perfectly fit into the interior and massive stands, as a stand for aquarium, where the backlight is made of the same material as a cover. If the lighting is mounted in a closet above the aquarium, it should be covered with glass during the installation of lighting equipment so that nothing fell into the water, and it is less worried about fish.

To optimize the consumption of electricity, the heights are placed on the heating, and the lighting is electritemer or the circuit breaker. They make the inclusion and turning off the lights without interfering with people, which is convenient with increased employment. It is also important to take into account the origin of most inhabitants of the aquarium - tropical fish need higher water temperature and long-term lighting, and more cold-water to this are not so demanding.

The main advantages of lighting LEDs

LED lamps not so long have entered the use of aquarists, but quickly became leaders of lighting. This happened due to many characteristics, and this type of lamps pushed other lighting devices.

1. Economic indicator - their cost below other types of lamps, electricity consumption is also optimal with sufficient brightness.

2. According to the efficiency, such lamps are slightly inferior to luminescent on the basis of cold cathodes, CCFL, that is, their economic efficiency gives serious savings.

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

4. The durability of these lamps is impressive, the term of use reaches 5 years, excluding the costs of components and frequent replacement.

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

6. The greatest safety when handling these lamps is explained by working at low voltage. They are pretty fireproof, as they are protected from the effect of high humidity and short circuit.

7. LEDs even in work for 8-10 hours do not give excessive heat, allowing you to maintain optimal temperature in the aquarium.

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

The only disadvantage of LED lighting is considered their high cost and the need to feed the nominal operating voltage, you will need an additional power supply.

LED lighting aquarium with their own hands

The first way to make an independently backlight of the aquarium LEDs is the easiest way to further equip the lighting lid with special phytolampa. For this, a white LED tape is fixed around the perimeter. This will give the optimal spectrum and the most uniform backlight on the upper perimeter of the aquarium. A plastic is used by plastic LED tape based on self-keys, where the protective layer is removed and the perimeter is attached.

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

The second way is to collect full-fledged LED lighting aquarium of sufficient strength without generators and complex equipment. On 200-300 l, 120 W power is sufficient for richly planted aquarium plant. This in sum implies 40 point LEDs by 270 lumen 3 W each. As a result, the illumination will be released 10800 lumens, which will give very bright illumination for this volume. It is important to monitor the balance of the entire ecosystem, and in the 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, because in online stores in Chinese, for example, and more solid companies you can find LEDs and power units of the same quality. At the same time, prices may differ at times.

For self-installation, the backlight will be needed:

a 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 slot connector for LEDs,
mill for processing holes of 48 mm.

By the length of the aquarium, cut 2 pieces of the gutter, in the bottom of which holes drill, about 20 pieces per meter, having them in a checker order. LED lamps insert into the holes and fastened.

All lamps must be connected to the power in parallel to the power supply by 12 volts. For a competent connection, it is better to turn to the electrician, since the connection scheme may seem difficult for people who are not experts in the area of \u200b\u200bconnecting lamps to the connectors. Computer coolers or fans need to be placed with high evaporation or heating covers for lighting.

In decorative purposes, sometimes they make additional night lights, like moonlight. To do this, connect a bit of blue LED tape, which can be installed behind the back wall, but so that it is lower than the bottom of the aquarium. The electriteer will be able to include it when the daylight will go out.

Aquarium plants for normal growth and development requires a lot of light. Fish is not so needed, but with sufficient illumination look very attractive, brightly, behave actively. Therefore, it is so important to choose the right light for aquarium. It is not as easy as it seems at first glance, since there are many details you need to know.

Where to position the backlight for aquarium

Most often, the backlight in the aquarium is located on top. The most common option is in the lid. Here they can be installed both long and ordinary lamps. To achieve a more uniform lighting near the lamps, reflectors are installed, which are redirected and dispel light. This is especially important if one long lamp is used. If it is simply fixed on the lid, most of the bottom remains in the shade, which is not always good.

But not always close location near the water - good. If lamps are used that allocate a large amount of heat, you have to put coolers (fans) or raise them above the aquarium. In this case, you can use the suspensions and stops. There is someone how to adapt - there are different options.

Make a special mount to the ceiling

Not always the upper light reaches the bottom in the right amount. Then, or you can increase the power of the lamps, or locate on the walls, closer to the bottom or at the bottom. The last option is more decorative, but can slightly improve low illumination in the lower layers.

Illuminated Aerator - One of the options Lamps for aquarium with suction cups - can be mounted on the walls at any level

The "upper" lighting for aquarium is more correct, but to correct the situation and the impossibility of fast rework can be used and located below the sources of light, and you can install spotlights for the decorative effect - to emphasize some part of the relief or an unusual plant at twilight.

Types of lamps

Lighting for aquarium can be done with lamps of any type. In general any. But its effectiveness, appearance of plants and fish, the amount of energy spent will be very different. We will estimate all types of lamps from these positions.

Incandescent and halogen lamps

They are combined into one category, as they have similar advantages and disadvantages. Good incandescent lamps for aquarium in that they emit light, the spectrum of which is very similar to sunlight. The second large plus is an affordable price. But minuses are very serious. This is a low efficiency - Kolo 97% of energy goes to heat generation and only 3% directly to radiation of light waves.

Accounts for such lighting aquarium will be decent. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish heat that allocate incandescent lamps during operation. It is usually done using the installation of coolers - low-power fans, but they also do not always save.

Metal halogen

This type of lamp is ideal for aquariums with plenty of grass and if a water column is over 60 cm. This is due to a wide range of emitted light, its high brightness and ability to penetrate into large depths. When lighting metal-halogen lamps (MGL) on the bottom there will be "solar" glare, shadow from plants, fish.

The disadvantage - when working, they are very hot, so mainly such lamps are set at a distance of at least 30 cm from the water mirror.

Fluorescent lamps

Today, these lamps are produced in several options. There are ordinary household (NO). Have a low level of glow, can be used to illuminate shallow aquariums - up to 50 cm deep. Below the light simply will not reach. There are two other HO technologies (High Output) and VHO (Very High Output), which, with the same dimensions shine at times brighter. Here their light is capable of penetrating a rather large depth.

In aquarium, two types of luminescent lamps are usually used - T5 and T8. We use T8. They have the optimal value for money. T5 lamps with a smaller diameter (16 mm against 26 mm) of light are twice as much, but also cost more than T8. And since they are still changing them in one period, then they use more often "eights".

Another point: these two types of lamps are not interchangeable: under T5 requires a special commissioning apparatus, so the lamps are different under them.

The lack of luminescent lamps - over time they "burn out", that is, they change the spectrum of the glow. This forces it every 6-10 months to replace, although the lamp still works and can work for many months. But its plants already "do not like". And this is additional costs and quite tangible.

Compact fluorescent lamps or housekeeping

In terms of its characteristics, it is very similar to ordinary luminescent, only the shape of the light tube changed - they are twisted into the spiral - and the cartridge is under standard connectors.

LED

To date, the lighting for an aquarium using LEDs is recognized as optimal. They warm little, with a small electricity consumption shine brightly, have a wide color range, differ in a long service life. In addition, they are safe, as they work from 12 V.

Another plus of the use of LEDs - their brightness of the glow easily changes. In the absence of experience, it is almost impossible to pick up the optimal amount of light, so the ability to adjust the amount of light is very useful.

The lack of LEDs is a considerable price of good quality crystals. The second unpleasant moment - they also highlight the heat that need to be removed. But the heat is highlighted by the LED housing and it is easier to remove it - install on the aluminum plate, which will select heat. If necessary, you can integrate the cooler on the back or lift above the water.

If we talk in relation to aquarium, while organizing the correct LED lighting for aquarium, you can achieve the game glare and shadows at the bottom, excellent type of plants and fish.

A few words about what LED lamps are:

For all these reasons, the Aquarium LED lighting is becoming increasingly popular. At low costs at the operation stage, they give good light, "burn out" much slower. Yes, there is also the ability to make the backlight "color" using RCD diodes. By the way, they allow you to adjust the number of one or another "shade" of light.

Combined lighting for aquarium

Creating lighting for aquarium Many experienced owners combine several types of lamps - two or even three. So you can achieve optimal illumination with minimal costs. Most often combine luminescent and LED lamps, luminescent with metal halogen, use all three types.

It only seems that there are few options. Actually a lot, as they choose light sources also at the temperature of light. As a result, the visual perception and color of vegetation and fish is decently changing. When choosing it is desirable to get a spectrum close to the sunlight spectrum or pick up such a combination that all the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Lighting intensity

In order to correctly select the lighting for aquarium, it is necessary to take into account many factors: its type (marine or freshwater), the presence of plants in it and their needs (what light intensity they need), the geometric parameters of the cana itself (water height) and the color of water. Depending on all these factors, lamps and lamps are selected.

Selection by volume

A common practice is to select the brightness of the lamps for aquarium based on its volume. The technique does not take into account a lot of nuances, but can be used as a basis - to approximately determine the required power of the lamps. The required power of the lamps is considered depending on the volume of water (not a reservoir, namely water - to deduct the air layer and the thickness of the soil).

For aquarium without plants of light, it is not so much - it is not necessary for fish. Consider 0.1-0.3 W / l.
If the aquarium contains teothelubile algae and fish, the lighting power can be calculated based on the norm of 0.2-0.4 W / l.
Average illumination - 0.4-0.5 W / l. But with such a choice of plants will grow slowly, they will stretch up.
Optimal illumination for a normal herbalist, for bright and healthy plants - 0.5-0.8 W / l.
Bright lighting with a large number of light-affiliated plants - 0.8-1.0 W / l.

Data is shown for lighting incandescent lamps and halogen luminaires. But today they are used less and less often, as they are ineffective and greatly warm. You can determine the required power of other light sources on the matching table.

Thinking at what power of the daylight lamp you need, you can calculate the required power of the light sources of another type.

Selection in depth

When determining the intensity of the lighting of the aquarium, it is necessary to take into account its depth. The thing is that when passing 10 cm water medium transparency, the illumination drops by 50%.

Every 10 cm depths "eat" 50% of the illumination level

This means that if on the surface of the illumination is 1000 lm, to a depth of 60 cm will reach only about 15 lm, and below in general it will be almost dark. If you want to have healthy plants, it is necessary that at the bottom of the world there would be at least in the area of \u200b\u200b60-90 lm. Therefore, when calculating the intensity of lighting for aquarium should be taken into account and its depth.

Time lighting aquarium

When designing lighting, the question arises: how long the aquarium lighting should work. The answer is based on the "habits" of plants and fish. They come from tropical latitudes, and there the light day lasts about 12 hours, regardless of the time of year. Here is such a lighting mode and must be provided with its plants.

Sometimes the lack of illumination is trying to compensate for the extension of the daylight. Positive consequences usually does not have, but negative appear very often - with a long lighting day, water begins to bloom, the illumination is still reduced, the need to replace water appears.

In addition, the light in the aquarium should burn a certain time, it is desirable to still create a certain semblance of half a day - for a while - an hour 3-4 per day - the lighting should be very bright, the rest of the time the intensity of the aquarium lighting can be reduced. To implement this mode, several lamps are used, which are included through separate tubes / switches.

In order to automate the process, you can set the time relay. Today there are absolutely inexpensive models through which the lamps can be turned on. They are mechanical and electronic. Electronic can be programmable and do not have to set the time each time, since the power will be supplied and turned off automatically.