Lighting for aquarium with your own hands. Light aquarium LED lamps LED lighting aquarium with their own hands for herbal

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 number 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:

1. Cut 2 gutters of equal length of the aquarium.
2. Drill holes, placing them in a checker with a frequency of 1 meter 20 pieces.
3. Insert the LED lamps into the finished holes, secure them.
4. 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.

The light is necessary for the active development of aquarium plants, which in turn allocate oxygen for normal life activity. Properly organized lighting not only maintains the balance of the local ecosystem, but also emphasizes the beauty of its inhabitants, decorates the modern interior.

The backlit aquarium is an expensive pleasure that is far from everyone. However, there are many ways to create LED lighting in the aquarium with your own hands. With this task, even the newcomer can cope after examining the instructions. For this purpose, you can use lamps of different types, but the LEDs are considered the most profitable. In order for the idea to succeed, and plants and fish developed, it is necessary to correctly choose the sources of light, taking into account their power, the light stream and the size of the aquarium.

Aquarios know that the water environmental system is based on the relationship of plants, microorganisms and its other inhabitants. Aquarium fish are the final link of this system, which also need proper lighting for the favorable conditions of their lives.

But the most important light for aquatic plants. Proper backlight will accelerate their growth and development. With the help of light, which absorbs algae, carbon dioxide and water turns into oxygen and nutrients. This process is called photosynthesis. Thus, oxygen appears in the water, which is necessary for fish.

If there is little light, the plant degradation occurs, the process of their reproduction stops and they are gradually dying. This is negatively reflected in the state of fish, mollusks, crustaceans.

The spectral composition of the radiation of different types of light sources is different. For this reason, there are sometimes lamps of different types (LED, luminescent, halogen) to illuminate indoor reservoirs.

Important! In winter, artificial lighting is necessary to extend the luminous day of the inhabitants of the aquarium. Include the backlight you need a maximum of 12 hours, the water inhabitants should relax from 6 to 8 hours. The power duration of the lamp in the summer is about 10 hours.

If the lighting is correct, the algae has a rich green color with yellowish, purple and brownish divorces. Fish behave actively, and their scales brilliant.

Sometimes the balance of the ecosystem is broken, it can be associated with the purity of water and the quality of the backlight. Then the liquid becomes muddy with a greenish tinge, it is poorly reflected in the state of the aquatic inhabitants.

If there are a lot of light, then there is an excessive growth of nitched algae. To suspend too active plant development, you need to slightly reduce the brightness of the backlight.

You can talk about quality lighting, if 2 months after you installed lamps, the water inhabitants feel good.

Often in decorative purposes, lamps for aquariums are complemented by light bulbs with green or blue light. It is certainly beautiful, but such lighting violates the process of photosynthesis and inhibitively acts on fish. Therefore, it is better not to experiment.

Why LEDs light better: the choice of a suitable type of light source

For plants and fish in the aquarium, different light sources are used, as many of them are quite whims. Some owners of aquariums when creating backlight are used by LED lamps, others - incandescent filament devices, and the third - high-quality halogen and luminescent devices.

Suitable lamps should emit light in a wide spectral range so that the plants develop, but not bloomed. For example, conventional light sources with tungsten thread have a narrow spectrum in which yellow rays prevail. Such lighting provokes fading plants and water pollution.

High-quality lamps should not warm the water. If the temperature rises at least 2 °, then the state of the fish is worsening.

As a rule, such types of lamps are used to illuminate aquariums:

1. The light bulbs with the thread of incandescent were previously applied most often. However, the yellow light that emits the device provokes the fading of plants. In addition, the light source heats the water. The combined backlights from fluorescent and incandescent lamps are now more popular.
2. Halogen samples consume little electricity, radiating bright light, not so much heated as ordinary lamps. However, they contain mercury, so they are dangerous for water inhabitants, if they break.
3. Luminescent devices are still popular among specialists in creating ecosystems in aquariums. They are energy efficient, have a wide range of radiation, issue multiple light. Two such lamps are enough to illuminate a large aquarium (from 300 l). However, in their flask there are mercury pairs.
4. LED lamps are the perfect option for water inhabitants. They spend the minimum amount of electricity, but at the same time they emit a bright light stream, do not heat water and glass aquarium. Their emission spectrum is widely, and there are no toxic substances.

Read also Features of the lighting aquarium and herbalist LED spotlights and lamps: how to choose, fix, make it yourself

Illumination from LED tape is less preferred. It is usually used in combination with other light sources, as it has a low light statement.

Pros and Cons LED Backlight

After the emergence of ice-lamps in the lighting market, they took the leading position among aquarists. Popularity is explained by the characteristics that distinguish them from other types of lamps.

Advantages of LED light sources:

1. Energy efficiency. LEDs spend little electricity, but the bright light is emitted.
2. High efficiency and small heat transfer. LED bulbs are practically not heated even after 10 hours of operation. Therefore, the additional cooling system is not needed.
3. Strength. Ice-crystals are resistant to vibrations, oscillations, which you can not say about light bulbs with thin spirals.
4. Long service life. Diode light sources can serve about 5 years, provided that they are properly used.
5. Wide spectral range. Diode light bulbs have a richer emission spectrum and high light output than other types of light sources. In one lighting device, you can install crystals of different colors to create favorable conditions for plants and fish.
6. Safety. These light sources are maximally protected from moisture, fireproof.
7. Ecology. Ice lamps do not contain toxic substances, ultraviolet rays are not emitted. Therefore, they are safer for water inhabitants.

The disadvantages of ice-crystals include their high cost and the need to install additional equipment (power supply, light regulator). However, extra spending will quickly pay off due to economy of electricity.

As you can see, ice-lighting has more advantages than minuses. That is why such light sources are very popular.

Correct illumination: Power, spectral range

If you decide to make a LED lamp for aquarium with your own hands, then you need to make the right calculation of the power of ice-crystals. After all, the life of the water inhabitants depends on this characteristic.

According to the standard, the total illumination power must be within 1 - 2 W. However, the volume of the aquarium in liters can reach from 20 to 2000. Light the indoor large-sized water with a diode lamp with such power will be heavier.

As a rule, crystals are used to organize the lighting system of aquariums. To determine the number of lamps, you can use complex formulas or online calculators. But in practice, a tank with 30 crystals is needed for a tank with a volume of 200 liters or from 25 to 45 light bulbs (the power of each element is about 3 W).

Many aquarists use the formula - 0.5W / 1l. However, it is also not quite accurate. If the aquarium is high, then the light will simply not get to the bottom, it can be noticed even visually.

Attention! According to many experts, the illumination of the aquarium must be uniform so that the light falls to the bottom. However, sometimes this backlight is negatively reflected in the bottom fish and snail. Fish, if necessary, float closer to the light, and then they will have the opportunity to hide in the tenaks. And algae still stretch to the light. Therefore, it is not always necessary to achieve ideally uniform lighting.

The vital activity of the water inhabitants also depends on the spectrum and color temperature. Often, novice aquarists are used to illuminate a yellow, blue, blue light bulb tank. It looks spectacular, but the inhabitants of the aquarium suffer, the photosynthesis of algae is disturbed.

Experienced aquarists advise to buy light bulbs, in the spectrum of which blue-purple or red and orange rays prevail.

Where to install lighting

The backlight for the aquarium must correspond to the interior design. It can be embedded in a closet, servant or shelf. The optimal option is to install the lamp in front and on top, that is, closer to the front wall. It is desirable that the lid can be opened on the aquarium to feed the fish.

Room of water (or a few) can be put on the shelf, and the lamps are placed in front. Perfectly fit into the interior massive nightstand with aquarium, which is equipped with a lid with illuminated from the same material.

If you decide to install lamps into a closet over the tank for marine inhabitants, then at the time of installation work it is necessary to cover it with a glass or plywood with a lid so that the garbage does not get into the water.

To increase the economy of lighting equipment, it can be supplemented with a thermaller, a photowork, a timer. The first device turns off the system when heating light sources or water, the second - turns on the light in the evening and turns off in the daytime, and the third - turns off the light at a specified time. It is very convenient for busy people.

How to make LED lights yourself

Make a backlight for aquarium from the LEDs with your own hands is not so difficult. The main thing follows verified instructions.

Experienced hosts know that for beautiful coloring of fish and healthy growth of plants, additional light is needed. It helps to recreate the conditions familiar to the inhabitants. In addition, proper lighting will allow maintaining the internal balance of the aquatic environment. And this affects the development and reproduction of the inhabitants of the aquarium.

In a specialized pet store, you can get the lid of the desired size together with the aquarium. It has already built a ready-made lighting system. However, it is not suitable for each aquarium.

Types of lighting for aquarium

Before choosing a lamp you need to remember that for different purposes you need a different type of lighting. The combination of various color spectra will help recreate the conditions, most comfortable for both plants and inhabitants.

So, if you want:

• Ensure a rustling growth of vegetationYou must use lamps of red, blue and white spectra.
• Emphasize the beauty of aquarium fish and support the growth of corals, It is necessary to stay on the blue spectrum lamps. They are used in marine and pseudomo aquariums for recreation.
• Make an aquarium warm and pleasant interior itema lamps of yellow spectra will help. They do not have a positive effect on the flora of the domestic reservoir, but can profitably emphasize the beauty of aquarium fish and light the room with a soft scattered daylight. You can combine a yellow lamp with white by setting the last rear wall for contrast lighting background.

Incandescent lamps

The most fiscal lighting option. Most often used in small pools and ponds for fish.

The advantage of such lamps is the necessary color spectrum - up to 3000 K. It is most favorable for the process of photosynthesis and the growth of water vegetation.

There is a big minus - this is a very low efficiency (only 5%). A lot of energy goes into heat. In addition, the lamp can burst with aquarium water drops on it.

Therefore, incandescent lamps are most often used for aquariums with cold-blooded inhabitants (frogs, turtles, tritons and others).

Fluorescent lamps

There are two types: specialized and daylight lamps. The first type as far as possible is suitable for lighting the containers with plants. They emit red and blue color spectrum, which speeds up the growth and development of plants.

Specialized lamps have its drawbacks: high price and short life (up to year).

Daylight lamp is cheaper and serves about 2 years. In this case, there is a significant minus - the growth of aquatic plants is slowed down and the process of photosynthesis.

Halogen lamps

The brightest source of lighting for aquarium. They are from 70 to 1000 W. It has a point orientation and illuminates a specific area.

The light penetrates the very depths, reflected from the walls and creating contrast of flowers and overflowing with deep shadows. These lamps are most popular among the fans of the aquatic environment.

However, there is also a minus in such a light source: requires cooling for at least an hour per day, because due to overheating it can burn. Like an incandescent lamp, can burst when water gets into it.

LED ribbons

Are the most economical source of light. In addition, there are ribbons of different colors and shades, and therefore the color spectrum can be recreated independently, combining blue, yellow, white and red colors. Also, using the switch, the tapes of the desired color are turned on. But the main advantage is waterproof.

There is a variety of LED tapes that are covered with silicone. They can be lowered without any concerns.

The installation of LED ribbons is very simple - just glue them to the inside of the cover and connect to the power source. However, there is a transformer here, because the tapes consume only 12V.

How to set the lighting for aquarium yourself?

First of all, you need a frame or a finished cover. The frame itself is best done from the tree or from OSB-plates. You can take plastic and plexiglas, but it is undesirable, because these materials are easily deformed when heated (depending on the type of heat transfer lamps installed, it can be quite large). The lid can be made with your own hands.

From the inside the lid should be placed by reflective foil - so the whole light will be directed to the aquarium itself. For fluorescent and halogen lamps, special attachments are used, with which they are firmly screwed to the inner surface of the lid. It will only be connected to connect the wires and isolate open areas with a special tape.

LED ribbons are much easier to install. They are connected to the power supply to 12V. Then the protective coating on the back side is broken, and the LEDs are glued to the lid.

We should not forget that many moisture evaporates from the aquarium. It settles on the lid and can lead to the brave of LEDs. Therefore, you need to choose a waterproof tape.

After completion of the installation, it is necessary to sneak the place of connecting the wires of the LEDs and the stabilizer with silicone sealant.

If the enhanced air humidity in the room does not confuse the owner, and in the most "bank" live quiet inhabitants, not inclined to jump and shoots from the aquarium, you can install special searchlights that you only need to fix.

Conclusion

The backlight in the aquarium is very important for the healthy growth of fish and plants. It participates in regulating the balance of the aquatic environment. Buy the finished cover with lighting is easiest, but it will be more expensive and not the fact that it will suit each aquarium. After all, depending on the volume of the aquarium, from the species of its inhabitants (fish, toads, Tritons, either a turtle) and plants need various intensity and color highlighting.

Correctly selected backlight for aquarium will be the key to rapid growth of plants and good vital activity of aquarium inhabitants. Currently, several different ways of lighting aquarium are used, including using energy-saving lamps, diodes and metal-halide technologies. High-quality backlight can be made with your own hands or acquire ready-made kits for aquariums of various litters.

Environmentally friendly LED backlight does not contain harmful chemicals like luminescent lamps

What is the lighting

Aquarium fish and grown plants cannot exist without solar or artificial light. The aqueous flora with high-quality lighting is actively involved in the photosynthesis process: absorbs carbon dioxide, nitrates and nitrites, simultaneously saturating water by life-by-oxygen.

Light is required by fish and other hydrobionts. It allows them to observe the daily wake and falling regime. It is necessary not only to correctly select the lighting power, but also its duration. The last factor in particular will be important for plants, as it warns the growth of unwanted algae.

Without the correct lighting in the aquarium, only plastic artificial plants can be planted, the appearance of which are far from the ideal. But if you want to create a real underwater garden with beautiful plants and bright tropical fish in the aquarium, then without high quality light can not do.

Until recently, the choice of aquarists was significantly limited. They could only use standard incandescent lamps, which were not too suitable for these purposes, as well as luminescent lighting, which slightly reduced the cost of electricity, allowing you to choose the optimal variant of the spectrum for fish and plants. Today, the range of lighting devices for aquarium expanded significantly.

The main facts that need to be guided by the choice of illumination:

1. Optimal solution - halogen sources of lightwhich are at the same time economical, have a wide range of lighting, contain minimum mercury and differ simplicity.
2. Incandescent lamps Small power can also be used to illuminate aquarium. This light has a yellow shade, which makes it possible to emphasize the beauty of bright tropical fish. However, the disadvantages of incandescent lamps are still available. First of all, this is an increased electricity consumption, provoking the growth of algae, as well as essential heating, which leads to overheating of the entire aquarium.
3. Fluorescent lamps Different with economy, efficiency, great diversity of the spectra.
4. LEDs - This is an economical modern technology that allows to reduce electricity consumption, providing intensive directional or scattered lighting. Thanks to the use of various controllers, you can fully automate the LED lamps: they will be turned on and off at a predetermined schedule.

Luminescent and LED lamps today enjoy the greatest popularity. They are at the same time economical, allow you to get color with any shade and spectrum, greatly illuminate both small aquariums and a capacity of several tons. The only drawback of LED lamps and controllers necessary for their work is the highest value of the components used. The latter somewhat limits their distribution in the domestic market.

Blue lamps 430 - 460 nm give realistic beauty to aquarium. With the help of blue light, you can speed up the growth of marine inhabitants

Proper power calculation

Beginner aquarists are often difficult to calculate the necessary power of light on the specific volume of the aquarium. In the past, fluorescent lamps were most popular, to calculate the necessary lighting capacity was much easier. The minimum indicator was the level of 0.50 W per liter of volume. Accordingly, a 10 watt lamp was enough for a 20-liter aquarium. For light-affiliated plants and with an increased height of the glass container, the power could be 0.7-1 W per liter.

But when the LED lamps appear, the calculation is significantly complicated. Here it is necessary to take into account not only electricity consumption by one LED, but also its power in lumens and other characteristics. Most specialists are recommended to be used to illuminate the Aquarium LEDs at 0.2 W per liter of the aquarium tank. Accordingly, it will take about 40 pieces of such small diodes into 200 liters.

Optimal spectrum:

• for bottom fish - 3000-6000 lux;
• for the content of flora and fauna - 6000-10000 lux;
• for light-affiliated plants and aquaskepa - 10,000-15000 suite.

Experienced aquarists choose the lighting power they need an experienced way. Here it is necessary to take into account not only the requirements of the grown plants (some may feel good in the shade or in bright light), but also the availability of fertilizer in water, the duration of the daylight. The higher the water column, the more powerful the lighting should be.

If the plants and walls of the aquarium are abundantly coated with a brown bloom, this indicates excessive lighting power and a long-lasting lighting day. But if the plants look lifeless, weak and faded, then you should simultaneously begin the supply of carbon dioxide, on a regular basis to enter the water fertilizer and increase the lighting intensity.

LED Aquarium Lighting is expensive, but ordinary LED lamps work up to 50,000 hours, and cost cheaper if we take into account the long-term perspective

Making a backlight with your own hands

Despite the seeming complexity, make the lighting of the Aquarium LEDs with their own hands will not be difficult. It is possible to use both luminescent lamps and performing a cover with built-in LEDs. In each case, the choice will depend on the volume of the aquarium, the necessary intensity and power of light, as well as the financial capabilities of the aquarist.

Using luminescent lamps

The easiest way to perform effective and inexpensive lighting based on luminescent lamps. All that will be required in this case is sealed cartridges (two for each lamp), an electric starter, or a start-adjusting device, high-quality power wires. Take ordinary, unprotected cartridges are not recommended, since under the lid, high humidity is formed, which leads to oxidation of contacts and a possible short circuit.

Electroscheme of this lighting is standard. The cable to the electropus device is performed from the outlet. The devices from the Hermopatrons are connected to the device to the appropriate outputs. A simplified connection scheme will be applied to the electrical device body, in accordance with which the fluorescent illumination should be collected. It is possible to increase the efficiency of such light by using diffusers located above lamps and made of polished metal or kitchen foil.

LED ribbons

You can find ready-made LED lamps and ribbons, which are the easiest option for creating high-quality lighting in the aquarium. Thanks to the use of modern technologies, such lamps are distinguished by the highest possible efficiency: with their compact dimensions, they highly illuminate the aquarium, allocate a minimum of heat and easily installed in the standard planting places of the lamps used.

You can pick up various options for LED backlights for aquarium, which will differ in their capacity, spectrum, number of other characteristics. In particular, such lamps for beginner aquarists who have the opportunity to use the latest achievements in the production of lighting products are popular.

So that the aquarium function correctly, it is necessary to regulate the amount of the daylight, and create uniform lighting for each inhabitant in a reservoir

Automated diode lamps

Every year the popularity of LED lighting for aquarium invariably increases, which is explained by the functionality of such light, power, efficiency and the ability to easily choose the required aquarist spectrum. There are LEDs of various capacities and shades, as well as the simplest automatic controllers necessary for electricity control. Make your own hands LED lamps for aquarium will not be particularly difficult.

In specialized pet stores, you can find ready-made lamps or LED ribbons designed specifically for aquarium. The largest manufacturers of such lighting are the following companies:

• Dennerle;
• Sulfur;
• Jewel;
• Hagen;
• Akvael;
• AquaMedic.

The LED ribbon must be fixed with silicone waterproof glue on the aquarium cover of a snake or crosswise, arrange in such a way as to ensure the uniform density of the LEDs. A power supply unit and a starting device are connected to the LED tape. In the event that there is no power supply and a starting device in a set with a ribbon, then it can be additionally purchased from an old computer power.

If you plan to use the controller, it is connected between the power supply and the LED tape. The controller used allows you to smoothly increase and reduce the lighting, imitating the dawn and sunset; It is possible to incorporate various LEDs that allow you to change the spectrum of lighting depending on the time of day. Controllers for LED lamps received the greatest distribution in marine aquaries, where it is necessary to maintain the routine of the day.

Correctly applied the backlight for aquarium from LEDs, you can create optimal living conditions for hydrobionts and grow a beautiful garden from plants. For aquarium, fluorescent and metal halide lamps are suitable, as well as LED elements that allow substantially to reduce the flow of electricity, optimally controlling the intensity, power and duration of lighting.