Page 34 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

32 FRESHWATER FISH: SETTING UP THE TANK

Lighting and heating

To create a thriving aquarium, the natural requirements of its
inhabitants for light and heat must be matched by artificial means.
In tropical regions, water temperatures are around 79°F (26°C),
changing little from one day to the next, while lighting conditions
vary according to environment and time of day. Modern technology Safety is paramount when using
electricity near water. Rubber caps
allows the optimum conditions to be created with relative ease. insulate contacts on fluorescent tubes.

The need for light
Almost all animals are dependent on light, and aquarium
fish are no exception. Many species rely on their sense
of sight to feed and communicate or use daylight to set
their internal clocks, which govern many behavioral and
biological processes. Light is vital for the healthy growth of
living plants in the tank, and good illumination is necessary
for showing fish at their best.
Warm white tube for Full-spectrum tube
optimum viewing for plant growth

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Nearly all plants—terrestrial
and aquatic—carry out
photosynthesis. This process Oxygen
is vital to all life because it
allows plants to manufacture
sugars from carbon dioxide and
water, which they use as food. Carbon
The energy for photosynthesis dioxide
comes from sunlight—but some
wavelengths (colors) of light Aquarium
are more effective than plant
others in energizing the process.
The reflective hood is often equipped with more than one kind of fluorescent
Certain wavelengths of light are Aquatic plants take up carbon tube. The tubes must be long enough to illuminate the entire tank. An
needed to promote photosynthesis. dioxide produced by the fish and “fix” electronic timer will automatically switch the light on and off in a daily cycle.
These wavelengths must be produced it into sugars. Oxygen given out by the
by any bulb or tube used to plant as a by-product of photosynthesis
illuminate an aquarium. is used by the fish in respiration. Ordinary tungsten bulbs, suspended over the water, can be
8 used to illuminate a tank. However, they emit large amounts
Photosynthesis is most of heat (which causes rapid water evaporation), their light
7
Relative rate of photosynthesis 5 4 3 2 orange-red light an unattractive yellow pallor over the tank. Today’s aquarists
effective when plants are
spectrum does not match that needed by plants, and they cast
exposed to violet-blue and
6
are much more likely to use fluorescent tubes, which run
cooler and can match the spectral qualities of natural light
(see p.207). The tubes are typically housed in a reflector hood,
role as a lid, preventing the escape of heat, moisture, and
0 1 placed on top of the tank. The light housing also plays a useful
400 450 500 550 600 650 700 sometimes even leaping fish, while keeping pets and children’s
Wavelength of light (nm)
hands out of the aquarium.

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