Bulb Reef Aquarium
Aquarium Lighting: Is It Needed Or Can You Go Without?
For some, aquarium lighting seems a bit like adding a neon sign to a lemonade stand. It looks like overkill and a waste of money. Yet, there are veritable reasons to use the correct lighting in an aquarium. Is it important to keep your fish healthy and in the best possible conditions as possible. The fact is that there are numerous reasons that almost every serious owner understands about aquarium lighting.
Of course, there is the aesthetic element. It makes the fish, corals and other livestock look good. You simply cannot see the beauty of many aquarium inhabitants in the dark. Their color revealed is only visible when light bounces off their reflective scales. If you are going to pay money for nice fish, corals and other livestock in an aquarium, you need to make sure that you can see it. Aquarium lighting is what is what transforms an aquarium into a work of art and conversation starter.
Yet there is an important aspect to most aquarium lighting requirements. Most fish require some type of lighting simply for health reasons. Different aquarium lighting can affect the fish’s bodily systems, such as eating habits, breeding patterns and reproductive organs. Aquarium lighting can affect a fish, coral and other habitants stress levels as well.
Fish need about 12 hours of light per day to ensure that conditions in the tank are as close to their natural conditions as possible. To make sure that the lighting is also similar to natural light as possible is; fluorescent lights should be used. Flames and household bulbs are not good; you need fluorescent lights, which should be replaced every six to eight month. The aquarium lighting must be similar the natural light or it can cause stress in fish and lead to serious health related issues. Timers that you can purchase at your local hardware store can be used to maintain a constant duration each day; they can also be adjusted as need depending on the time of year. Remember that the fish cannot turn a blind eye and so the twelve hours per day of lighting should be during the day when they are awake. At night, turn the lighting off to enable them to sleep. Yes, fish sleep too.
A general rule is that your tank needs 2.5 watts per gallon of water volume; now this is different for corals and reef systems. If you plan to maintain living coral or rocks then the aquarium lighting requirements are much higher and it may be necessary to maintain up to 8 watts per gallon.
Many corals and marine plants require “spectrum” fluorescent light. It is quite a bit more complex and another topic all together but research of the fish, plants and corals you plan purchase can ensure that you have the right aquarium lighting. You do not have to know how it works to do so.
However, if you do not have coral or other livestock then you can consider using “color enhancing” florescent bulbs. These can be used in tanks with fresh or salt water and with a tint of pink or yellow in order to make the colors in your fish come out.
Some of the pitfalls of a poorly lit aquarium are undesirable algal growth that can take over. It will also indirectly, have an impact on CO2 and nutrients in your tank and it is therefore is certainly a vital aspect of your aquarium to take seriously.
About the Author
Thomas Bladecki is the author and can provide additional information about foreclosures and the current real estate markets visit Desert Coral Aquatics for more information on Aquarium Lighting.
My 75 gallon Reef Tank 5/26/09 Lighting Upgrade.
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light Hood Coral Reef 8 Lamps 80W Bulb 640W Used R58 Marine $169.95 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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FOUR 65W Aquarium compact PC bulb ST Reef Fish Plant $22.99 |
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400W 14000K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM & REEF BULBS LAMPS $23.99 |
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175W 20000K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM & REEF BULBS LAMPS $23.99 |
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250W 14000K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM & REEF BULBS LAMPS $23.99 |
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175W 14000K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM & REEF BULBS LAMPS $23.99 |
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250W 20000K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM & REEF BULBS LAMPS $23.99 |
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T5 HIGH OUTPUT AQUARIUM SALT WATER REEF FLUORESCENT LIGHT/ 4′ HOOD w 6 bulbs $139.95 |
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BLUE LED REEF AQUARIUM MOON LIGHT BAR 46″ LIGHTING FIXTURE w/REPLACEABLE BULBS $56.44 |
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8 T5 ACTINIC 4′ F54T5/HO AQUARIUM/REEF LIGHT BULB! HIGH OUTPUT LAMP 4 FOOT BLUE $56.88 |
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4 T5 ACTINIC 4′ F54T5/HO AQUARIUM/REEF FLUORESCENT BULB $35.97 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light Hood HO Marine Coral Reef 8 Lamps 80W Bulb 640W Used $179.95 |
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CORALIFE HQI 150 WATT METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM Reef Tank FISH LIGHT BULB & BALLAST $51.09 |
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24” AQUARIUM LIGHT T5 HO 8X 24 WATT REEF MOONLIGHTS LUNAR LIGHTS W/ BULBS NEW $289.99 |
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T5 Quad 60″ 5 ft Aquarium Light Marine Reef Cichlid 320W 80W Bulb LED Odyssea $139.95 |
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2 X 150Watt 20000K Double Ended HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S $18.98 |
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150Watt 14000K Double Ended HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S $9.99 |
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2 X 150Watt 14000K Double Ended HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S $18.98 |
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150Watt 20000K Double Ended HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S $9.99 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light Coral Reef 8 Lamps 80W HO Bulb 640W Used R58 Marine $169.95 |
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T5 Quad 60″ 5 ft Aquarium Light Marine Reef Cichlid 320W 80W Bulb LED Odyssea $139.95 |
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Used Radium 20K 250W SE HQI Metal Halide Reef Tank Bulb For SPS MH Aquarium $2.25 |
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Brand New Krystal Star SE 250W 11K MH Bulb For Coral Reef Aquarium $0.99 |
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24” AQUARIUM LIGHT T5 HO 4X 24 WATT REEF LIGHTING LUNAR MOONLIGHTS W/ BULBS NEW $159.99 |
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IceCap Ballast 660-009 VHO -HO-STD Bulbs Reef Aquarium Saltwater Tank $39.99 |
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IceCap Ballast 660-009 VHO -HO-STD Bulbs Reef Aquarium Saltwater Tank $39.99 |
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MH ADV 36″ Metal Halide Aquarium Marine Coral Reef 2x 250W MH Bulb T5 LED Lunar $269.95 |
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T5 Quad 24″ Aquarium Light Strip Marine Coral Reef Cichlid LED 96W 4x 24W Bulbs $74.95 |
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4x 39W High Output HO T5 Bulb Aquarium Reef 10000K Day $19.99 |
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Aquarium LED Light Bulb Reef White Marine, 27w, 9×3w $102.70 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light HO Coral Reef 8 Lamps 80W Bulb 640W Used R58 Marine $169.95 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light Hood Coral Reef 6 Lamps 80W Bulb 480W Used R56 Marine $159.95 |
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175 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HID $60.00 |
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400 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HID $75.00 |
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36” AQUARIUM LIGHT T5 HO 6X 39 WATT REEF LUNAR MOONLIGHTS LIGHTING W/ BULBS NEW $229.99 |
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250 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HID $70.00 |
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150 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI $49.00 |
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250 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI $69.00 |
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400 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI $125.00 |
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70 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI $36.00 |
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GE 6500K DAYLIGHT T5 24W 24″ REEF AQUARIUM BULB $14.95 |
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UVL ACTINIC WHITE 12K 24W 24″ T5 REEF AQUARIUM BULB $20.95 |
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UVL ACTINIC WHITE 12K 54W 48″ T5 REEF AQUARIUM BULB $20.95 |
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UVL AQUABLUE 75/25 14K 24W 24″ T5 REEF AQUARIUM BULB $20.95 |
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UVL AQUASUN 10K 24W 24″ T5 REEF AQUARIUM BULB $20.95 |
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UVL SUPER ACTINIC 24W 24″ T5 REEF AQUARIUM BULB $20.95 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 14000K Mogul E39 MH 14K Reef Marine Bulb $22.50 |
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TWO PACK (2) X 70 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI 10K $49.75 |
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1000 W 20K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $49.79 |
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1000 W 14K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $49.79 |
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1000 W 10K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $49.79 |
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3PC 70W 70 W DE 10 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $63.45 |
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3pc 70W 70 W DE 20 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $63.45 |
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3PC 70W 70 W DE 14 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $63.45 |
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70 WATT 70W DE 20 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $24.37 |
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175 W 175 WATT 14K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.37 |
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MH 150 W DE 10 K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $24.37 |
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70 W 70 WATT DE 14 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $24.37 |
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175W 175 10K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.37 |
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2PC MH70W HQI DE 20 K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $43.91 |
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MH 250W 250 14K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.37 |
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150 WATT 150W DE 20K MH HQI HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $24.37 |
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250 W 250 20K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.37 |
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250 W 250WATT 10K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.37 |
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400W WATT 14K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.37 |
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175 WATT 20K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.37 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 10000K RX7s Double Ended 10K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 10000K RX7s Double Ended 10K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 12000K RX7s Double Ended 12K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 13000K RX7s Double Ended 13K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 14000K RX7s Double Ended 14K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 15000K RX7s Double Ended 15K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 20000K RX7s Double Ended 20K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 22000K RX7s Double Ended 22K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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150W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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150W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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150W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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ECORAY PAR 38 Multi LED Bulb for Nano Reef Aquariums $84.99 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 13000K RX7s Double Ended 13K Aquarium Reef Bulb $19.95 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 12000K RX7s Double Ended 12K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 10000K RX7s Double Ended 10K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 15000K RX7s Double Ended 15K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 20000K RX7s Double Ended 20K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 22000K RX7s Double Ended 22K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 14000K RX7s Double Ended 14K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 10000K RX7s Double Ended 10K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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175W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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Brightest MR11 12 Volt AC DC 10 5050 SMD LED Bulb Wide Angle 160 Lumen 2.1 Watt, white, 1113WH $8.00 This is our brightest MR 11 bulb. It has 10 high-powered led bulbs, which produce about a 3 watt Luxeon bulb. The light pattern is perfect for illuminating displays or even just adding accent lighting yet it is still bright enough to be used anywhere. LED bulbs are compatible with all types of magnetic transformers but not all electronic transformers. Many electronic transformers require a minimum… |
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LEDwholesalers 10 Watt LED Waterpoof Outdoor Security Floodlight 12 Volt DC, 3701W-12V $21.41 This outdoor security light is fully waterproof and uses 12 volts DC. It only uses 10 watts of power and still produces a large amount of light. Use it in the dark areas of your house to give it that extra light. This light is very energy efficient, has a very long life and does not produce very much heat. Light output colors comes in cool white color (5800-6200K). Bulb Type:Outdoor waterproof sec… |
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Reefbrite XHO Tech Led 48 50/50 $319.95 Strip lights are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 2? to 72?. Utilizing only 3 watt LED’s for maximum performance and output. These versatile units can be used to replace any standard strip light or to create a custom lighting system. Because of their unique and elegant design and optimized reflector system, Reef Brite LED strip lights give off very little glare, making them a high de… |
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Brightest MR11 12V 10 SMD LED Bulb Wide Angle This is our brightest MR 11 bulb. It has 10 high-powered led bulbs, which produce about a 3 watt Luxeon bulb. The light pattern is perfect for illuminating displays or even just adding accent lighting yet it is still bright enough to be used anywhere. LED bulbs are compatible with all types of magnetic transformers but not all electronic transformers. Many electronic transformers require a minimum… |
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2 PCS Double Ended 150Watt 14000K HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S By CBconcept $19.99 Metal Halide Lamp Characteristic: Crispy brilliant white lighting |
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Pilgrimage to the West (Definitive Edition) (Chinese Edition) $12.99 When you need the ultimate in lighting for your aquarium, nothing illuminates like metal halide. This spectacularly bright bulb mimics the high-intensity light of the midday sun while producing the same refracted shimmering, dappled look of natural sunlight. With the highest light-output-per-watt you can find, this double-ended halide lamp brings out vibrant colors and keeps your corals, plants, o… |
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Red Dust (Chinese Edition) $9.99 Metal Halide Lamp Characteristic: Crispy brilliant white lighting |