We at Aquarium Depot have dedicated this section of our site to answer a few of your more frequent aquarium and Aqua Medic Aquarium Lighting questions.

Aquarium bulbs seem very expensive. Can't I use cool white fluorescent bulbs from the hardware store?

Please don't unless you absolutely have to! Many algae, plants and animals, including humans as well as many fish and sessile invertebrates, require all or part of the specific spectrum of light the sun produces, to manufacture, or to metabolize important nutrients. Many fluorescent aquarium bulbs are designed to simulate part or all of the spectra produced by the sun. Some aquarium bulbs produce a spectrum designed primarily to enhance the colors of fish. While cool-white bulbs will illuminate the aquarium just fine, they are not designed to produce the correct spectrum to promote health in fish, plants, algae or invertebrates. Not to mention that if you do use cool-white bulbs, you'll see your fish in a whole new dull-and-drab-colors-all-washed-out kind of way. You may also experience rapid growth of funky-looking brown algae in your aquarium. Aqua medic aquarium lighting provides a wide variety of lighting products to meet your needs. Please feel free to browse our lighting section.

What does Kelvin temperature refer to in aquarium light terminology?

The Kelvin temperature scale is frequently used in science because it describes absolute temperatures, and is only indirectly related to the Kelvin color temperature scale used by the light bulb industry to describe the spectrum of light that different light bulbs produce. Fluorescent bulbs are coated inside by rare-earth phosphors and filled with mercury vapors. Low-voltage electricity is discharged at the ends of the bulb and conducted by the mercury, which "excites" the molecules in the phosphors, and causes them to glow brightly or fluoresce. Over time, this process takes its toll on the phosphors and they begin to degrade, and eventually they burn out. Different phosphors fluoresce with different colors of light. The Kelvin color temperature scale is used to describe different colors, or spectra of light, using a scale based on the spectrum of light produced by the sun at it's peak or zenith (12:00 Noon), on a clear day. What spectrum of light is right for my aquarium? This depends on the type of aquarium you keep. If you have a fish-only aquarium, either freshwater or marine, you may want to use a normal fluorescent aquarium bulb, which produces a slightly red, warm color that enhances the colors of the fish. Lighting to enhance the colors of fish and grow freshwater plants is usually rated at 4500ºK to 5000ºK, which brings out the colors of the fish but results in less algae growth. If, however, you have a marine reef tank, we recommend using bulbs rated at a color temperature of 5000ºK to 7000ºK, which stimulates photosynthesis in algae and the symbiotic algae that live in the outer integument or calcareous matrix of many sessile invertebrates called zooxanthellae.

How much light do I need for my live reef aquarium?

Saltwater lighting and fresh water aquarium lighting is important. The good old generic rule-of-thumb is 7 to 10 watts per gallon of reef aquarium, depending on the surface area and depth of the aquarium. This rule still works for some common aquarium sizes, but it is imperfect for several reasons. Which is better for goldfish in a 10 gallon tank, a glass canopy with an additional fluorescent light or a full hood. For goldfish, either would be suitable. However, if you plan on later converting the tank to tropical fish and live plants, or setting up a nano-reef aquarium, you would be better served buying a glass canopy/strip light configuration.

Does an acrylic tank require a standard aquarium stand or a special stand?

An acrylic tank requires a stand that fully supports the bottom panel of the aquarium with some form of platform. Aquarium stands should not be an after thought. They support your animals as well as valuable equipment. Wrought iron stands for example, would not work as they are open in the center. You can rig something up with plywood but Aquarium Depot does not recommend that method.

Is it true that the life of acrylic aquarium is less than that of a glass one?

That is false! The life of an acrylic fish tanks are actually longer due to the fact that silicon is not used in its construction.

I have recently purchased a used acrylic fish tank. The previous owner attached a backdrop with tape. Is there any solvent that I can use safely to remove the tape residue?

Yes, Goo Gone should remove any residue from the tank.

I have an acrylic fish tank. I notice a few days after I fill it up with salt water, the front and back side of the tank started to swell quite a bit. It was flat before and now it looks like an arch in the front and back. Is this normal?

There are acrylic tanks, and then there are acrylic tanks! In almost any acrylic tank, depending on the manufacturer, some slight bowing may occur, but it won't be noticeable. If the tank is designed properly, bowing will only happen in the back panel. Excessive bowing comes from using material that is too thin. Major manufacturers use thicker acrylic and that is why their tanks are more expensive. While it may be a risk, acrylic is still much stronger than glass. The aquarium is probably not going to explode, or break. It may actually hold water for many years in that condition. Signs of weakness include air bubbles or pockets forming in the seams, and "crazing." Crazing is a term sued to describe horizontal stress lines that begin in the corners of the tank, and spread out from there. They look like thin cracks in the acrylic, but they're actually caused by stress of the molecular structure of the plastic. When crazing spreads several inches out from the corners, it is probably time to replace the tank. Acrylic tanks that are well-made will always be superior to glass in nearly every respect. Don't let a bad experience with a poorly-built tank steer you away from a good brand of acrylic aquarium.

Can I reuse an aquarium that housed a rodent (Hamster, etc) and make it a fish aquarium?

You need to check the integrity of the silicone seals if it is a glass tank. If they are in good shape, filling the tank with water wouldn't be a bad precautionary measure. If the tank is acrylic, you will need to check for cracks and perform the same steps.

What are the pros and cons of acrylic versus glass aquariums?

We tend to favor acrylic aquariums over glass. In our opinion, acrylic is superior to glass as an aquarium material in most respects. The one issue with acrylic tanks is scratching. Acrylic offers greater clarity, is much lighter in weight, has a higher tensile strength and insulates better than glass of the same thickness. Well-made acrylic aquariums are literally welded together, using a method that makes an acrylic seam stronger than the acrylic panel itself. Acrylic tanks do not depend on the silicone cohesive bonding used to assemble glass tanks, so they rarely leak. Glass aquariums have a greater tendency to leak, and should always be placed on a good flat and level surface to help prevent this. Acrylic aquariums are also built with a top panel welded in place with openings in it for access and filtration. This makes the tank stronger and eliminates the ugly "salt creep" that can occur with glass tanks. However, the smaller access openings do not allow most larger decorations to be placed in the tank, so the hobbyist must get creative with decorating or special-order a tank with a thicker top and larger access openings. Acrylic is 50% lighter in weight than glass. A person can lift a 55 gallon acrylic aquarium with one hand! It takes two people, using both hands, to lift a 55 gallon glass tank. This is an advantage for folks who tend to move frequently. Acrylic is easier to drill for custom filtration plumbing applications, although glass aquariums may be ordered with pre-drilled holes for plumbing. Acrylic is a softer material than glass and scratches easier. When cleaning an acrylic tank, greater care must be taken not to accidentally rub gravel, rocks, or coral against the tank panels. Scratches may be easily buffed out of an acrylic tank (even under water!). Scratches in glass are forever! Scratches in glass aquariums (which can also be scratched by rocks, etc.) cannot be repaired. Because acrylic is a more pliable material than glass, it may have a tendency to bow outward or warp slightly when filled. The amount of bowing is usually negligible however, and ordering a tank made of thicker acrylic will almost always prevent this from happening. The tops of acrylic aquariums may also warp under high heat conditions, such as under metal-halide aquarium lighting. This will not affect the strength of the tank, but acrylic aquariums should be ordered with thicker tops to prevent this from happening, if they will be used for reef tanks equipped with strong lighting.

I am interested in setting up my first reef tank with reef aquarium lighting. I am looking tank built into a wall that’s over 100 gallons with full access behind the tank. I have read the debates between acrylic Vs. glass. I begin to lean toward acrylic and then read additional horrors about scratching. Can you comment on acrylic tanks?

With proper care, the tank will remain scratch-free. Any scratches that do occur can be buffed out with an acrylic scratch repair kit, even under water with no ill-effects. The major advantages of the acrylic far outweigh the disadvantage of scratching. Glass scratches too and most things that scratch acrylic also scratch glass, just not as severe. We have seen some badly scratched glass tanks, and those scratches cannot be buffed out. Many of our clients have acrylic tanks that have remained scratch-free for many many years. The most common mistake is getting gravel caught in an algae scrubber when cleaning algae.