Not just any goober can be a successful and savvy aquarist. This is a hobby for real men, and in some cases women. Having said that, it is truly one of the most rewarding hobbies around.

Saltwater aquariums are known for their therapeutic effect on everyone that sees them, and there are few things more gratifying than creating a "mini ocean" in your home.

Although a successful saltwater aquarium includes many different parts – saltwater fish, of course, or if you prefer a reef aquarium you may only have a variety of rare coral, live rock which literally grows a harvest of healthy bacteria and miniature creatures that keep your ocean balanced, live sand which absorbs toxins from your crystal clear water, and of course a cleaning crew of invertebrates. But the "piece de resistance" – the component of your saltwater aquarium system that is the lifeblood of it’s inhabitants, and the key to your success, is the aquarium’s lighting. Although you can certainly get started with whatever aquarium lighting comes with your saltwater aquarium tank, later you will want to know how lighting choices can enhance your saltwater aquarium experience.

Luckily for you, huge strides have been made in aquarium lighting recently. While LED aquarium lighting has long been popular for nighttime aquarium lighting, they have recently become the best choice for daytime lighting also. One main reason is that it takes less capacity to run an LED light, and as a result the savings can be as high as 70%! They have a longer operational life and give your tank a huge advantage when it comes to overheating. Saltwater aquarium lighting is a broad subject and any decision should be accompanied by research. You can find lots of great articles online – just google article directories.

Another great way to get started is to talk to the crew at your local fish store. After all, they’re going to be your support group in your new hobby, and they will know a lot more off the bat about what you need to do to get started with your new mini ocean. And local fish stores are the best way to really get a feel for the effect that saltwater aquariums can have on your mood and your life.