How to choose the best lighting for an aquarium with plants and everything about it!

One of the most important components of a healthy aquarium is lighting, particularly for the growth of plants. The proper lighting not only makes your tank look better, but it also helps your aquatic plants thrive. Even the most well-kept aquarium may find it difficult to thrive without enough lighting.

There’s more to selecting optimal lighting for your planted aquarium than just picking a bright light. The type of lighting you choose can have a big impact on how well your plants grow because different plants have different needs. It’s critical to comprehend the range of options available and how they impact your tank’s environment overall as well as the plants.

This post will go over the important aspects to take into account when choosing aquarium lighting, such as the kinds of lights, how strong they should be, and how to adjust the lighting to your plants’ individual requirements. Regardless of your level of experience, this guide will assist you in making well-informed decisions to cultivate a vibrant and healthy underwater environment.

<

Consider the Type of Plants	Different plants need different light intensities. Low-light plants like Java Fern need less light, while high-light plants like Dwarf Baby Tears need more intense lighting.
Choose the Right Light Spectrum	Full-spectrum lights (6500-7000K) are ideal for plant growth, as they mimic natural daylight and help plants photosynthesize efficiently.
Adjust the Lighting Duration	Aquarium lights should be on for about 8-10 hours a day. Too much light can lead to algae growth, while too little can hinder plant growth.

For the sake of the plants’ growth and the general wellbeing of your aquatic ecosystem, selecting the appropriate lighting for your aquarium is crucial. The size of your aquarium, the kind of plants you have, and the spectrum and intensity of the light all affect the ideal lighting. You can maintain your aquarium looking bright and healthy by creating the perfect environment for your plants to grow by being aware of these factors.

How much light is needed for an aquarium with plants?

How many lumens should there be in an aquarium light?

Daylight mode in an aquarium

How to light an aquarium with plants?

Scheme for choosing aquarium lighting

How much light is needed for an aquarium with plants?

And this is where things get confusing right away. Although it seems like a straightforward question, everyone makes so many mistakes. Let’s all agree that this article won’t delve into technical terms or provide in-depth explanations. You can search for all the details and elucidations on FF or Google. The material’s goal is to provide the appropriate vector!

Watts, Ra, FAR/PAR, Lux, Kelvin, Lumens, and O! How this all irritates novices, while the need for FAR, PAR, and Kelvin overwhelms seasoned aquarists =)

The power of an electrical appliance is measured in watts. An iron uses Watts as well, but it doesn’t glow. Thus, it can be concluded that Watts do not in any way describe lighting.

How much light a light source emits is measured in lumens.

Lux is a measure of a surface’s lightness. This image is crystal clear.

During our forum exercises, we encountered strange people who purchased lux meters from Aliexpress and, with tongues agape, demonstrated to all that this is the exact instrument required to gauge aquarium lighting. But let’s use reason here. Simple aquarium bottoms have uneven surfaces, and even in a home herb garden, plants have varying levels of growth in addition to intricate hardscapes and aquascapes. Additionally, the lux meter can be thrown in the trash if we account for the fact that light scatters and refracts in water.

The most constant and stable feature is luminescence. Using it to "measure lighting" is the best option. Almost all sources of light have a lumen indicator. If they’re missing, you can use a search engine to approximate their value by entering something like "How many lumens in watts… for fluorescent lamps."

Rectified and continued.

How many lumens should there be in aquarium light?

It’s lm/l. A 100-liter aquarium is situated above a 2500 lumen light source. We obtain 25 Lm/l (2500/100).

According to the aforementioned FanFishka articles and online resources, a skilled herbalist needs between 50 and 70 Lm / l. But is this actually the case? Unfortunately, not at all.

To begin with, every light source is unique. Fluorescent lights, for instance, shine in every direction.

Fluorescent light source

That is to say, even with fluorescent lamps, the reflectors will not be 100% effective if half of the lumens, or more accurately, photons of light, do not enter the aquarium.

LED lighting sources, on the other hand, only shine downward and have a directed glow. It turns out that the light will hit the center of a 100L aquarium (~80 cm wide) if a 16 cm source is placed above it, and the sides will darken.

This leads to the conclusion that you should consider the lighting source’s quality attributes when determining "your individual Lumens."

Furthermore, it is imperative to consider the distinct attributes of the aquarium. The height comes first, followed by the hardscape and then the kinds and quantity of plants.

A 50 cm-high water column in an aquarium will not allow any 50–70 Lm/l to pass through. This is exactly what is highlighted in the videos that we just showed. "Nuclear light" 220 lm / l above our aquarium is actually TuMach, if not for every element in our aquarium complex.

This is just a general guideline; do not follow those who claim that exposure to more than 100 milligrams per liter is excessive. This is all false information. For your project, take a seat and analyze the light yourself if you’re looking for a Bombay herbalist. We’ll try to assist you with this down below.

Thirdly, we should not overlook the aquarium’s daylight regime, which is contingent upon the choice of lumen count.

Aquarium Daylight Mode

Fish don’t care; we’ve written this to answer the question, "Is lighting the aquarium necessary at night?" For the herbalist, it is crucial to pay attention to the day-night cycle because plants go through entirely different, opposing processes during these times. This image has explanations found in the aforementioned articles.

To replicate the "sunrise-zenith-sunset" effect in the aquarium, it is also preferable to use a stepped lighting method for plants. Three hundred years ago, Old Man Takashi Amano was thinking about this. He said this to help you remember: "6 hours for dawn and moderate lighting, 3 hours for zenit and nuclear light, and 3 hours for sunset and moderate light." On that particular day ". It is evident that this plan is flexible and even contingent upon the herbalist’s current stage of ripening; however, it remains a functional theme that yields results.

In the question of the aquarium lighting mode, we will also say that after starting the herbalist, the lighting is supplied gradually, t.e. ~3-5 hours a day – in the first week, 5-6 hours. – in the second and so on until the optimum. The numbers are approximate, but we think the meaning is clear – in an unstable, freshly launched herb garden, you should not provoke an algae outbreak with intense light. Clearly follow the Redfield proportion, high-quality water changes, coordinated work of filtration and aeration, gradual addition of light and you will be happy. With all the components, you can get your herbalist "on his feet" in 2 weeks.

How to light an aquarium with plants?

Here’s where the useful advice comes in; otherwise, we’re just talking in circles. Like a CO2 cylinder system, lights are among the most expensive parts of an aquarium with plants and are therefore out of the reach of many people. It is typical for high-quality lighting to cost upwards of 20,000 rubles. Search "ADA lamps" on Google and you won’t be limited to 100,000 rubles.

Here’s a lifesaver for you: standard LED floodlights for buildings or outdoor spaces can be purchased for a few thousand rubles and will be of great assistance. Floodlights are the answer if you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend a lot of money. for about five thousand rubles. Even with a step-by-step lighting method, you can create excellent light for yourself over a 100-liter aquarium.

You saw the usage of LED floodlights in the video up above. And this is "Chimera’s Lair," our project from the previous year. The herbalist is LED-grown.

Therefore, disregard those who tell you that Ra is irrelevant and that Kelvin is in charge, saying that PAR is everything. For a beginner in particular, it is not worth concentrating on any of these lighting features because they are all such secondary aspects. Lumens, or light intensity, are all of ours! The remaining 90% is success. Please have a look at the drawing we did.

Above the aquarium, LED spotlights

100-liter aquarium. The water column is between 30 and 40 centimeters high, not the same as the aquarium’s height. There are three 30-watt LED spotlights. What’s obtained?

We obtain approximately 2300–2700 lm from a single 30-watt spotlight; we then take the average of 2500 lm. After dividing by 100, we obtain 2500 * 3 = 7500 lm, which is a real and problem-free 75 lm/l. The aquarium’s "dirty volume," when calculated, comes out to be 80+ lm/l.

Here, we create a sort of stepped lighting effect by placing the central spotlight on one timer socket and the two side spotlights on another. We set timers to, for example, turn on the center for two hours, then off, and turn on the side lights for two hours, then three hours. collectively—peak followed by a descending order. shitanama

How are LED floodlights mounted? In the past, when they were enormous and had a big radiator, this was incredibly problematic. These days, floodlights are so thin that, as we demonstrated in our video, they can even be glued to silicone or placed beneath an aquarium’s lid. The Joker is the best option if the aquarium is open. Enter Yandex. View the image of "Aquarium joker" to see your mounting options.

Additionally, floodlights can be easily mounted on metal profiles. If this presents a challenge, simply attach the floodlights to skewers using the same silicone or a tie.

We hope you found the layout to be helpful.

However, what if you’re looking for something formal? The aquarium industry now provides options for every color and preference, and "craftsmen" can create the exact light you desire. All you have to do is determine what your project will entail (hard plants, aquarium characteristics, etc.), calculate lumens, and select the appropriate color temperature.

When discussing branded lamps, let’s take our partners’ lamps as an example and act without bias. We hope that this will enable you to decide and comprehend the main idea.

Let’s begin with Laguna’s most basic LED panel. Find out more about them here.

A lightweight, ergonomic lamp made of simple aluminum fell into our aquarium a few times, demonstrating its good waterproofness. The older model costs about 4500 rubles at 2200 lm. Appropriate for novice and basic herbalists. When a few modest plants are present and the aquarium is not too tall, the Laguna lamp works perfectly.

Let’s count to get started. 60 * 30 * 30 = 2200/54 = 40.74 Lm/l is the aquarium’s volume. Assuming that the laid soil absorbs the water column by 5 to 7 cm, the net volume of water in the aquarium is now estimated to be 10 liters less. It is safe to state that the Laguna lamp produces approximately 50 lm/l in the designated aquarium, meaning that you can cultivate Vallisneria, Hornwort, unassuming Ludwigia, Anubias, etc.

Since LEDs have a much longer lifespan than fluorescent lights, Laguna is a great option to replace FL.

Let’s move on to Tetronic from Tetra. Read more about them here.

The cost of the 580 model, at 1258 lm, is approximately 7500 rubles. It’s a steal at the price. However, Tetronics’ best feature is that they include adapters for the "old" T5-T8. Put Tetronic in the lid in place of a fluorescent lamp, for example, and you won’t have to remember to change the FL for a very long time.

The quality and "fatness" of the radiator is another unquestionable Tetronics benefit. You can use the powerful lamp to dig potatoes in the garden or chase hooligans around the park. It’s an unbreakable object. A single unit. superior quality. If only there were a few more headlights, hehe.

Alright, let’s take a peek at a few more treats that our partner, the wholesale company Aqua-Logo, has to offer. Find out more about the Aqua Medic Qube 50 plant lamp in the spoiler.

The 24 distinct LED components that make up the Aqua Medic Qube 50 plant LED chip have a balanced spectrum. The lamp has a 50W total power and 1364 lm of luminous flux. 1.410 μmol photons m−2s−1 are the maximum amount of radiation that is photosynthetically active. Two channels are used to manually adjust the light’s color and intensity.

A quiet internal fan in the lamp ensures consistent cooling of the potent LED chips. In addition to a mounting kit for hanging the lamp from the ceiling, the kit also includes a flexible bracket that offers a firm hold and simple installation. A lens is installed that has a 90° scattering angle.

The lamp measures 80 by 80 by 65 mm. Maximum area of light that is effectively lit is 500 x 500 mm.

Apart from that, you can buy an Aqua Medic Qube control controller, which will let you program channels separately and change the light intensity of certain LEDs, like moonlight and sunrise/sunset. You can link multiple Qube to one another and control them at once with a cable that is part of the controller kit.

These products are sold in stores under the following names:

– Qube 50 2-channel LED light controller (Article AM-83216000)

– LED lamp Qube 50 Plant (Article. AM-83217050), 2 regular channels, 80x80x65 mm, 50W

We’ve included a video about this lamp from the official Aqua Medic channel below.

Medic Aqua Qube 50 plant light

What’s the catch? A price tag of 21,000 rubles at 1364 lumens? The Aqua Medic Qube 50 plant light is an expert tool for enhancing any cube aquarium. Headlights, dimming, and a game with Kelvin are all present here. Quality is very serious! However, the cost is already high for connoisseurs and professionals in their field. If you work in a nanoaquarium as a professional, wabikus. The Qube 50 plant by Aqua Medic is amazing!

A few readers might inquire: "Boss, hold on. But what about lighting intensity, measured in lumens? How does the 1364-foot-long Medic Qube 50 plant crack a can? Friends, it’s that easy. The lamp has a LENS that brightens the light. Lenses, which resemble magnifying glasses, are typically used with LED lights in situations where the lamp is suspended or overhead. The lens evens out the distance between the waterline and the light source.

Finally, there are Ista panels. See the spoiler for more information.

Professional Plants of ISTA Red and green foliage plants grow just as healthily under LED light bulbs.

A spectrum found in the lamp is necessary for plant growth and photosynthesis. causes the active process of photosynthesis to begin because its wavelength, which is 660 nm, peaks in the red portion of the spectrum. increases the amount of chlorophyll and anthocyanidin that plants produce.

Professional Plants of ISTA The inherent colors of plants are not altered by LED light. These lamps have a color temperature of 7000K, which is extremely similar to natural sunlight, and a color rendering index of Ra95. Its unique design allows it to provide consistent illumination at a 150-degree angle.

The lamp’s lifespan is extended by the radiator on the anodized aluminum body, which helps to cool the light source.

The following models make up the ISTA Professional Plants LED Light line of lamps:

– Expert 45-cm 23.8 W 2478 lumen LED plant light (Art. IL-400)

– Professional 60-cm 35.7 W, 3717 lumen LED plant light (Art. IL-401)

– Professional 90-cm, 53.2-Watt, 4956-lumen LED plant light (Art. IL-402)

– Professional 120-cm, 79.8-watt, 7434-lumen LED plant light (Art. IL-403)

– Professional grade LED plant light, 150 cm, 93.1 W, 8673 lumens (Art. IL-404)

Legs to mount the lamp on the aquarium’s side walls are included with the lamp.

Additionally, you can buy special lamp holders that let you hang the light higher, giving you more room underneath for maintaining your aquarium. Additionally, it can be applied in situations where a broad distribution of light across the water’s surface is required. It is mounted on the aquarium’s side walls, which are composed of glass that is up to 12 mm thick. 35 cm is the height above the aquarium. There are no suspension cables included.

The following holder models are part of the range:

– A 60 cm pendant lamp holder for an aquarium (Art. IL-407-42)

– A 90-cm pendant lamp holder for an aquarium (Art. IL-407-43)

– A 120 cm pendant lamp holder for an aquarium (Art. IL-407-44)

– Two pieces of cable for hanging lamps on holders (Art. EL-766-2)

We’ve included a video from the official ISTATaiwan channel below that documents the creation of the planted aquarium that this lamp is meant to be used on.

The company ISTA Digging, based in Taiwan, is a professional manufacturer of aquascaping products. It takes great offense at ADA and gives them a serious snub because their prices are far lower than theirs.

Costs $10,000 for a professional 60-cm, 35.7-watt, 3717-lumen LED plant light. Considering the aforementioned, you can determine the lamp’s profit on your own. To this add the astounding Ra of 95. The inflated Kelvins = 7000K is another factor. Take note that the reasoning of Ista employees is intriguing when considering Kelvins. For herbalists, color temperature recommendations range from 5500 to 8000K. The majority of aquarists use 6500K spotlights, while the ADA lamp is 8000K. It appears that Ista chose to give out 7000K and follow the route of uniqueness—that is, not yours, not ours. Excellent work!

Maintaining a healthy and lively environment in your aquarium with plants depends on selecting the appropriate lighting. Your aquatic plants’ growth and health can be greatly impacted by the proper light spectrum, intensity, and duration. You can create the perfect environment for your plants to thrive by being aware of these factors.

It’s also crucial to take into account the particular requirements that your aquarium’s plants have. It’s important to investigate and adjust your lighting to the specific needs of your plants, as some may require more light than others. Keep in mind that issues like plant deterioration and algae growth can result from either too much or too little light.

Last but not least, it is ultimately worthwhile to invest in a high-quality lighting system. It not only makes your aquarium look better, but it also makes sure that your plants get the light they need.

Video on the topic

Aquarium lighting. Light in my aquariums.

Inexpensive and professional lamp for an aquarium

HOW CALCULATE THE AMOUNT OF LIGHTING FOR AN AQUARIUM !?

How does the shade of light affect aquarium plants? Which light is better ?

What should be the lighting in an aquarium?Let"s talk about herbalists again.

PRIME LAMP, WHICH IS SUITABLE FOR ANY AQUARIUM l THE BEST AND BUDGETARY CHOICE OF AQUARIUM OWNER!