What type of lighting is best for aquarium plants?
The most common form of aquarium lighting is T8 and T5 florescent bulbs. Both are capable of growing plants, however T5’s are recommended. T5 bulbs are more powerful, and better suited to growing aquarium plants in a densely planted setup. One full length T5 bulb is often enough to grow most aquarium plants.
What wavelength do aquarium plants need?
That being said, we can conclude that the light spectrum that supports the growth of freshwater aquarium plants best should include: At least 50% red light in the wavelength range of 630 to 700 nanometers. At least 35% green light in the wavelength range of 500 to 580 nanometers.
Can you use a regular lamp for aquarium plants?
You can use almost any type or brand of light to grow plants as long as you have enough light intensity, but we highly recommend getting an LED light – rather than fluorescent, compact fluorescent (CF), or other light technology.
Are LED or fluorescent lights better for aquarium plants?
LED aquarium lighting uses less electricity than other aquarium lights. Your energy cost savings alone will make up the difference in the cost of LED system in the first year to 18 months. Low heat output: LED lights do not generate the heat that fluorescent light bulbs do, so they won’t heat up your aquarium water.
Will any LED light grow aquarium plants?
Will aquarium plants grow under LED light? Yes, aquarium plants will definitely grow under LED as long as the light emits in the right spectrum. Regular white LEDs are great and will allow your plants to thrive. Just make sure you know what brightness your plants desire.
What color light spectrum is best for aquarium plants?
As I have mentioned, aquarium plants absorb red, and blue lights within the visible light spectrum more than any other intensity, thus blue and red color bulbs make the best alternative for planted fish tanks.
Do aquarium plants need a special light?
Aquatic plants do best under full spectrum light with a Kelvin rating or “color temperature” between 6,500K and 8,000K. Always choose a light source specifically designed for growing aquarium plants; those designed for houseplants do not have the correct Kelvin rating.
Is 6500K good for aquarium plants?
Every website out there that claims 6500K is better for plants is purely a marketing gimmick. For aquarist purposes, K rating is useful when buying household lighting and re-purposing it for aquarium use.
Which Colour light is best for aquarium?
Red, blue and green LEDs are in popular use for standard aquarium lighting since these light temperatures greatly enhance the colors of the objects inside the aquarium. The colors of aquatic plants appear much more rich and vibrant, red fish, shrimp and of course red-leaved stem plants look much flashier.
Which artificial light is best for plants?
Fluorescent tubes
Fluorescent tubes provide one of the best artificial light sources available for plants in the home. They are about 2-1/2 times more efficient in converting electrical energy into light energy than are incandescent sources, making them less expensive to operate.
Is LED light good for aquarium plants?
Yes, aquarium plants will definitely grow under LED as long as the light emits in the right spectrum. Regular white LEDs are great and will allow your plants to thrive.