Have you been thinking about building a special aquarium set up that will emulate a coral reef? If so, then chances are you've taken an interest in reef lighting, or the type of natural lighting that is found in coral reef environments.
There's just something about that special lighting that bounces and plays off of the coral reef structure as the fish swim in and out of all the various entryways found throughout the reef. The light is subtle and filtered by the water. This also is what gives the reef lighting its special blue glow.
Some people have tried to emulate this blue glow with special day-glo lights and other blue tinted light bulbs. Interestingly, as LED slights have become more affordable, aquarium owners have begun using them in their aquarium set ups. In fact, LED lights provide a unique bluish tinted light that is just great for emulating the subtle underwater lighting that you're going for.
Of course, another thing to consider is whether your fish and live plants are getting enough light each day. If you do not have live plants in your aquarium, then this is obviously not so much a concern. Yet you should consider adding some live plants, as they are nice for the fish, and provide some natural cleaning functions upon the tank water.
A good rule of thumb when it comes to figuring how much light your fish need, is two watts per gallon of water. If you see a significant increase in algae growth, then you probably have too much light. If you see droopy or lackluster plants, then you should increase the daily light amount.
If you'd like to adjust the shade of light to get that perfect reef lighting ambience, you may wish to experiment with various shades of day-glo lighting. These are perfectly safe to use inside of aquariums, as long as you follow general safety guidelines and common sense. It's a good idea to opt for a light canopy, as lights that come with hoods are more expensive. You don't need to buy a hood for every light color you try, so go ahead and buy a light canopy in the beginning.
If you've got a large aquarium, you'll be able to experiment a little more with the additional colors of lights and combinations thereof. For examples, you may wish to have two blue tinted lights, and one yellow, for interest interplay between the two colors.
Remember, have fun. Like any project, it's only worth what you get out of it. This means the experience as well as any product, which in this case is reef lighting for your aquarium. Set out with an open mind and a sense of experimentalism, and you'll come out with an interesting lighting set up and reef lighting ambience.
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