Innovations in Aquatic and Petcare Lamps and Fluorescent Tubes

1. Introduction to Aquatic and Petcare Lamps

Aquatic and pet care lamps are specialized lighting solutions that accentuate the aesthetics of aquariums and terrariums while catering to the living creatures residing inside. The types of pets in these enclosed terrariums and aquariums can have widely divergent requirements, as per their natural habitats, ages, behavior, sensitivities, etc. Hence, the degree of lighting required also varies. The elements of light and heat, among other things, must be balanced in order to provide the ideal ecosystem for fish, reptiles, amphibians, and other pets. A carefully chosen lamp can promote pet well-being, as light has a direct bearing on photoperiodism, disease control, the metabolism of UVB-exposed pets, and mood.

For many years, lighting was considered more of an atmospheric element, with luxury aquariums featuring accessories such as color LEDs and the light cascade of glittering incandescents. Today, a range of luminaire technologies has proliferated to provide lighting, from fluorescents to tubes, halogens, and LEDs, touting power efficiency and low heat emissions. As such, innovations in lighting have taken the baton from mere aesthetics to provide a beneficial lighting source too. The following sections will discuss the various lamp types and their benefits, guiding pet owners on how to prioritize as per their pets' needs.

2. Types of Fluorescent Tubes for Aquatic Environments

There are different types of fluorescent tubes available on the market that are intended to be used for illuminating aquatic environments such as freshwater, saltwater, and garden ponds. These include tubes to enhance plant growth, tubes to provide light to create an environment that is visually appealing, and the so-called black light blue tubes, which enhance fluorescent colors. If one were to use the standard, warm white, or cool white tubes directly above water, then apart from a lot of light being reflected back out of the water, 50% of the tube's light output would be absorbed by the water and converted to heat.

Therefore, the fluorescent tubes mentioned above, which are to be used above water and give the desired color, are much more powerful in lumens as they supply sufficient light and corresponding optical energy to compensate for any losses in transmission and to provide the desired amount going into the water. The primary wavelengths of fluorescent lamps are the same as incandescent lamps, and therefore there are no significant advantages in using fluorescent lamps thermally. However, the light output of fluorescent lamps is higher compared to tungsten lamps, as the dark lines of the incandescent spectrum are eliminated by the fluorescent coatings, and when combined with the RGB mix, it delivers a “whiter” light. These tubes are classified by the lamp industry as T8 or T5 according to the diameter of the tube in eighths of an inch. Just as the performance of tubes varies, so do the costs of the tubes and accessory electrical components. For this reason, it is worth selecting very carefully what type of tubes and control gear you decide to use.

3. Benefits of Using Specialized Lamps for Petcare

There are numerous benefits for pet care in using special-purpose lamps. Specially designed solutions cater to the biological rhythms and needs of a given species. Improper lighting in the environment may lead to a deterioration in animal health, development, and behavior. It may cause the development of behavioral disorders and have a negative effect on the mood and well-being of pets. Therefore, any responsible pet owner who sincerely cares about the proper development of their pets should ensure the best conditions for keeping their furry or scaled pets. Proper lighting is especially important in the case of reptiles. All species of reptiles resting in equipped terrariums need access to natural light, along with ultraviolet radiation. It is worth noting that special lighting for other pets is also available - dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, or birds. Properly selected lighting is necessary in the daily care and development of the animal.

The special role in pet care is played by UV lamps, which provide pets with many physiological benefits. They help, for example, in the absorption of calcium in reptiles, improving reproduction and reducing stress. Lamps for reptiles give the impression of sunlight - white light with a reddish, slightly yellow, or orange tint. Properly selected lighting is necessary in the daily care and development of the animal. Thanks to special lighting, amino acids, lipids, and proteins are absorbed. Research has shown that longer light hours using light are beneficial.

4. Recent Technological Advancements in Aquatic Lighting

Aquatic lighting technology has taken a leap forward into a future that was once thought impossible! LED technology has exploded in the marketplace over the last 5-6 years, being energy efficient and chemically stable with no ultraviolet radiation and no infrared radiation. This innovation also allows companies to provide a very customizable light with inexpensive chips that can have the intensity and spectrum dictated by the user. This can produce an almost perfect white light to the naked eye or can shift quickly to make a striking color accent. Additionally, these new light systems can be smart systems, with easy-to-use phone applications that control the lighting. This innovation of easy-to-implement light schedules can provide a fantastic experience for the user, along with being, more importantly, great for the fish. Aquarium life benefits from a clear cycle of light and dark. A set schedule greatly reduces the amount of stress faced by fish and other underwater life forms. Through this reduction of stress, fish are less likely to contract illness and experience greater growth rates. The user is able to craft this experience by dialing in the appropriate 24-hour long light schedule.

Today's LED technology allows aquarium users to have the most user-friendly and energy-efficient lighting ever. Overhead lighting that houses extra equipment, such as heaters, requires lights that stay cool, so as to avoid impeding the health and functionality of internal heaters. Older fluorescent bulbs were great for this, and though they come in all color spectrums, they do take approximately 5 minutes to turn on and they require changing on an annual basis. LED lights use a power adapter to light up the LED chip board. The above advanced chip board is then wired to the lowest voltage possible, creating small 1.5 (and less) volt chip boards. Pre-chip voltage was in the neighborhood of 9 volts, meaning that the whole diagram was pre-built to draw too much power, do a lot of inefficient conversion to get the chip board to turn on, and handle a big jump in power voltage, which stressed the chip faster. First generation LED lighting was also known for having difficulty manufacturing LEDs that kept their temperature down. Researchers and development manufacturers have been solving these problems for the last 15 years as LED technology has been on the upward swing, with a turning point right around 2014. Additionally, recent innovations have incorporated small microchip boards with all the needed transformers onboard. These new single circuit board designs are long-lived, difficult to wrongly plug in, and most manufacturers provide at least a 3-year warranty on their system consuming 24/7 lighting. With proper care, these systems should last many years to come. Today's LED lighting is the safest and most well-scheduled choice for aquarium lighting. It is the most efficient and potentially the most user-friendly.

5. Best Practices for Maintaining and Choosing Lamps for Petcare

As the previous paragraphs have highlighted, there are substantial merits to providing suitable lamps for commercial pet products and exhibits. However, there are also some hazards. In order to achieve the advantages and avoid the hazards, it requires selecting the right lamp for the animals' and habitats' lighting needs, as well as cleaning the lamps regularly, monitoring them for light output, making arrangements for cleaning and replacements, ensuring they are safe, preventing any damage, and making sure they are shielded from hazards. Additionally, pet store associates should be educated in new technologies and work to stay current on the latest developments.

How do I know what is the best lamp for my pet? This is a question we hear quite often. It is both simple and complex. It is an issue that depends on the needs of your pet and the environment it is in. However, a good quality lamp with the proper light spectrum and bulb wattage when compared to the size of the habitat could be a good start to determine what lighting to use. Be sure to give any new addition to your habitat time to adjust to its new light before making any decisions. Just as important as selecting the right lamp is cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining the lamp(s) as well. After some time, the light production of the lamp will decrease, or the wavelengths may shift. Lighting is highly individualized, and it is important to closely monitor your animals' reactions to the bulbs you provide in their habitat.