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15 Jan 2015

Benefits of LED Lighting

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Aquatics | Aquael | Tropical Aquariums | Fish | Marine Aquariums

LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lighting is fast becoming the preferred choice for aquarists, as it uses less electricity than standard forms, lasts much longer and produces up to 80% more light than traditional fluorescent tubes. It produces a deeper, purer light to support healthy plant growth, enhance natural colours and illuminate stunning marine life.

The light seems to penetrate the deepest corners of the tank, showing off every aspect of the life within. Traditional fluorescent lighting, whilst a long standing favourite, has some disadvantages. It emits heat, which can be transferred to the water, doesn’t have a long shelf life, and can easily be damaged both in transit and once it’s in situ in the aquarium.

LED lighting can be adjusted and dimmed to adapt to your own personal lighting schedule, and as it’s a compact, light, product it’s easier to transport, fit and maintain. LED lighting also has the added bonus of creating a very realistic shimmer to the water. Replicating the natural effect of light upon the ocean, this ripple of light adds another depth to your aquarium.

Are there any drawbacks? Not really! Upgrading your lighting may seem daunting, as LED lighting can be more costly than traditional forms at first. Some models also require a separate controller or unit, which can add to the cost. However, manufacturers are quickly modifying their designs to make LED lights more affordable.

Aquael have introduced the LEDDY TUBE modules that simply pops into an existing T8 lamp unit. All you need to do is remove the end caps from the T8 tube and pop them on to the new strip, then fit into the T8 unit. That’s it! An upgraded lighting system which will save you money, time and energy without having to purchase a new light unit or hood. The Aquael LEDDY TUBES are reliable and durable with up to 50 thousand hours of operation without replacement. It provides 65% more light than standard T8 lamps and use 1/3 less electricity too – so you can illuminate your aquarium and save money.

There is also the option of buying a new light fitting such as new Aquael LEDDY SMART LAMP which is designed for aquarium tanks with a capacity of 10 to 50 litres and with a height of up to 35 cm. The high-tech LED is placed in a stylish flat lampshade that is just 1 cm thick. The lamp is very easy to install – just press the lamp’s arm onto the edge of an aquarium wall (note: wall thickness cannot exceed 6 mm). The powerful 6-W LED emits light with a colour temperature of 6500 K (SUNNY) or 8000 K (PLANT). This light not only provides proper conditions for the growth of aquarium plants but also ensures that the colours of all the inhabitants of the aquarium are rendered faithfully.

The LEDDY SMART lamps are indispensable to illuminate shrimp tanks and other small freshwater aquariums. Their additional advantage is lack of maintenance requirements and durability, since the LEDs they employ can operate without replacement for up to 50 thousand hours. In practice, this translates to more than 10 years of operation.