Staff Report Proper lighting is essential for setting up a good aquarium. Incandescent bulbs are less expensive than fluorescent tubes. However, they produce more heat and less natural light. Incandescent bulbs are generally found only on 10 - gallon tanks and smaller.
Fluorescent tubes produce a more natural light and much less heat.
The fixtures for fluorescent tubes are also much more flexible and will allow you to pick the best type of light for your aquarium. If you have an aquarium with live plants, you should only use a full spectrum fluorescent bulb. Fluorescent lighting best simulates the light given off by the sun. Intense lighting, which plants grow best with, can be increased by using bulbs that emit more watts. Heavy plant growth can be achieved by increasing the lighting to 60 watts of fluorescent lighting for every 12 inches of tank length.