Why Does An Aquarium Have Blue Light? [Does It Benefit The Fish?]

Aquarium lighting plays a much more significant role than merely illuminating the aquarium. Blue lighting is soothing to the eyes and also gives the aquarium an aquascape look. However, it’s crucial to look beyond the aesthetics of the blue light to know the real reason behind using it. So, why does an aquarium have blue light?

The primary reason to have ambient blue lighting in an aquarium is to mimic the moonlight. Blue lighting illuminates the aquarium and encourages the physical activity of its inhabitants. Blue lighting also doesn’t affect the day and night cycle of the fish, nor does it contribute to algae growth.

Aquarium lighting is essential for the optimum growth of your fish, just like their diet and sleep. So, you must be wondering why a majority of the aquarists prefer blue lights. Let’s find out.

What Does Blue Light Do In An Aquarium?

Aquarium lighting has a profound impact on the fish in the aquarium. Lighting enhances the metabolism and influences the growth of the fish.

Besides, lighting helps in regulating the eating and sleeping habits of the fish.

It provides fish the all-important oxygen and energy.

At the same time, in a planted aquarium, lighting helps to improve the health of the aquarium plants and corals.

The visible light spectrum consists of many colors.

However, not all colors are equally important for the photosynthesizing inhabitants of the aquarium.

Since light is an integral part of an aquarium, it’s important to choose the correct color of light that benefits the fish.

Blue light is the ideal choice for any aquarium due to its numerous benefits.

Among all colors, the blue spectrum is arguably the most vital for freshwater and marine reef aquariums.

Blue light illuminates the aquarium and mimics the moonlight. It is used to mark the transition between dawn and dusk.

Besides, blue light is calm, and it allows the edgy fish to venture out at night to search for food.

Nocturnal fish prefer dim blue light at night when they are awake.

Blue light not only benefits nocturnal fish but at the same time allows the diurnal fish to rest at night.

Also, blue light encourages more physical activity in the fish.

It also becomes convenient to monitor the health of the fish and spot potential problems during the night.

Another benefit of blue light is that it does not contribute to excessive algae growth, which can be harmful to the fish.

Lighting generally increases the water temperature, but it’s not the case with blue lights.

Blue lights do not increase the water temperature, and so monitoring is not required while the lights are on.

If there are multiple fish with vibrant colors, blue light helps stimulate the red, green, and blue shades of color; thus making the aquarium look more exquisite.

Alright! Now that you know blue lights are extensively used in aquariums, does it affect the sleeping pattern of the fish?

Can Fish Sleep In Blue Light?

Blue light is an ideal choice for aquariums. It helps in mimicking the moonlight environment in the aquarium.

Besides, blue light does not affect the day and night cycle of the fish, neither does it harm the plants.

Ambient blue light is very soothing and has a calming effect on the fish. The fish can sleep peacefully inside the aquarium, even when the light is on.

Besides, if there are nocturnal fish in the aquarium, blue light helps them too. Blue lights illuminate the aquarium.

This helps the nocturnal fish do their regular activities like swimming and eating at night and rest when tired.

Blue lights are arguably the best option when it comes to aquarium lighting.

But, have you wondered which lights are better? LED or traditional bulbs?

Are LED Lights Better In Aquariums?

When it comes to lighting for an aquarium, there are many options available.

However, it is always better to choose the best and suitable lighting that enhances the growth of the fish.

LED lights in an aquarium are better than standard and compact fluorescent bulbs and metal halide lights.

LED lights are more beneficial than traditional lights.

Fluorescent and incandescent bulbs generate high heat resulting in the quick rise of water temperature.

Fluctuation in water temperature is highly dangerous to the fish.

You may find the fish stressed out and confined at a particular place in the aquarium where the water temperature is cool.

On the other hand, LED lights do not raise the aquarium’s water temperature because of their low heat output.

LED lights also help in illuminating the tank in a significant way.

Another advantage of LED lighting is that it can be adjusted for light intensity.

The brightness of the light can be programmed depending on the time of the day with the help of a timer.

This is particularly useful if there are nocturnal fish in the aquarium. Light can be dimmed during the night for feeding and viewing purposes.

You may feel that LED lights are expensive as compared to fluorescent bulbs.

However, LED lights save money in the long run and are highly cost-effective.

LED lights have low energy consumption, thus reducing the cost of electricity in the long run.

It saves around 80% of the electricity compared to traditional lights.

Also, they last a lot longer in comparison to conventional types of lighting.

Besides, LED lights are safer for the fish. LED lights also promote live aquarium plants’ growth, which reduces the overgrowth of algae in the aquarium.

Related Further Reading:

Is Blue Light Good For Aquarium Plants?

Lighting is essential for all living beings, including plants.

Choosing the right color light for the aquarium helps in creating lush and healthy plants. It also helps in controlling algae growth.

The color of the light does affect the plant growth in an aquarium. However, the effect is more noticeable under low light intensity.

Blue light is used in the photosynthesis process of the plants and has better penetration in water.

It has a direct effect on the chlorophyll production in the plants.

Plants that receive blue light abundantly will have strong, healthy leaves and stems.

Besides, blue light works like magic for plant pigmentation.

If there are red aquarium plants in the aquarium, they will grow redder when exposed to blue and red spectrum lights, coupled with proper nutrient intake.

Also, blue light enhances the color of aquatic plants as they look more rich and vibrant. The red-leaved stem plants look flashier than usual.

Which Color Light Is Better For An Aquarium?

White bulbs are standard for aquarium use. However, they aren’t the best option.

White bulbs are very bright, and they illuminate the tank more as compared to RGB bulbs. However, they are not very effective for plant growth.

RGB LED lights have a combination of red, green, and blue colors.

You can choose any of the bulbs depending on the fish species and the type of aquarium plants.

Blue LED light is better than white light as it supports plant growth and has a calming effect on the aquarium inhabitants.

The RGB lights are also a good option when the blue moonlight lights are not available.

For a shallow tank, the red spectrum is useful to plants compared to blue and green lights.

Since red color is easily absorbed in the water, it is ideal for shallow water aquariums.

Whereas green and blue spectrum lights are more suitable for deeper tanks.

Nevertheless, every lighting type has its pros and cons.

So, you need to choose the lightning that serves the fish and plants better.

Interesting Further Reading:

Final Thoughts

Fish and plants have their specific lighting needs for proper growth and development.

Blue light is preferred by many aquarists worldwide due to its many benefits.

It helps to mimic the natural environment of the fish and brings the aquarium to life.

Blue lighting benefits the aquarium fish and plants in several ways, as discussed above.

That is why it is preferred globally by many aquarists.