Aquarium LED Lighting Comparison

Do Aquarium LED fixtures really cost more than other fixtures?

This comparison takes into account the initial configuration and the continuous cost of lighting a beautiful aquarium over a period of 1 to 2 years. This will show that LED Lights are actually the cheapest to keep and maintain.

Currently, fluorescent lights (VHO) are the cheapest to buy, while LEDs are the most expensive with a metal halide (HQI) somewhere in the middle.

The first thing to consider is the replacement of the bulb. The VHO and HQI bulbs need to be replaced each year, while the LED lasts 7 to 10 years.

The second consideration is heat. You may not think about heat when you refer to lighting, but heat is a problem for aquariums. HQI produces so much heat that coolers are often used to help lower aquarium temperatures. This often requires an extra pump to help run the water into the cooler itself. VHO fixtures, in general, do not produce enough heat to require a cooler, but some of the high-efficiency fixtures that use ballasts also produce heat. LED Lights to have little or no heat, so no heat transferred to the aquarium.

The last consideration is power. Electricity runs all the lighting fixtures, but by far the most energy-efficient is the LED, then the VHO, then the HQI.

I had an HQI camera on my 260-gallon aquarium myself. I switched to standard bulbs (VHO), then to LEDs, which I currently use and love. My electricity bill has halved from a budgeted amount of $900/month to $450/month. I eliminated the cooler and two sump pumps used for the cooler and skimmer.

Another aspect to consider other than cost is the effects on the inhabitants of the aquarium. For example, the VHO bulb gives a uniform light distribution along with the entire bulb, giving the tank a constant light throughout the aquarium. The HQI gives a more concentrated beam of light, more like the sun, has a more natural shady area and a shimmering effect on the surface of the water. LED Lights also gives a shimmering effect to the surface of the water and can be configured to simulate cloud cover, sunrise, and sunset.

Overall, the overall benefits of LED fixtures offset the initial cost of future savings. By the time you add the cost of replacing the bulbs each year, the extra pumps, coolers and the electricity it costs to operate such devices, the winner is clearly the LED Lighting.

Thanks for reading my article, I hope it will help you choose the right fixture for your aquarium.

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