Aquarium Lighting: important factors you need to consider

This depends greatly on whether you intend to successfully grow plants or not. Lack of light causes colorful fish to fade and clanch-reds to pink, green to white. The two main methods of lighting aquariums are INCADESCENT and FLOURESCENT.

The total amount of light required for your aquarium is a matter of trial and error. Too much light will turn the water green; too little will stunt plant growth.

The lighting can be natural or artificial or a combination of both. The best position is near a north facing window. This should provide the ideal amount of indirect lights which can be supplemented by artificial light.

If there is no natural day light, the lights should be left on for approximately eight hours per day.

If the water turns green, you need to cut down on the light.

The best light for showing off an aquarium comes from behind.

Resources
Tropical Fish Secrets - Definitive Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Tropical Fish. Plus 2 GREAT BONUS BOOKS!

All Your Goldfish Questions Answered - Discover the quick and easy secrets to having happy and healthy Goldfish.