What lights are good for planted tanks?

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.

How many lumens does a 55 gallon planted tank need?

That all depends upon which plants you have chosen for your aquarium. If you have chosen nothing but “Easy” plants, 10-20 lumen (0.25 to 0.5 watts) per litre is adequate. For “Medium” plants, we recommend 20-40 lumen (0.5 to 1 watts) per litre, while “Advanced” plants require more than 40 lumens (1 watt) per litre.

How much light should my planted tank get?

In a planted tank, the lights should be on between 8 to 10 hours. Too long will give algae the chance to start growing, so never turn your lights on for longer than 12 hours per day. In a new tank, start with 8 hours per day and adjust as necessary. However, different plants have different requirements.

Do aquarium plants need blue light?

In fact, plants in the aquarium use a specific type of blue light called actinic blue light for their growth. The blue light helps in the growth of the leaves and the stems of the plant. In other words, blue light is essential to the grown of the plants in your aquarium.

Which Colour light is best for planted aquarium?

Aquarium plants need the right amount of light. The rule of the green thumb is that the bright green plants like bright light while dark green plants like less light. If you see vibrant coloration on the leaves that isn’t green, the plant grows best under bright light.

Can you have too much light in a planted tank?

Too much light causes more algae growth. Reduce the time the aquarium lights are on to eight hours, or a bit less if necessary, to help reduce the algae growth.

How much light do you need for a low tech tank?

Low-tech planted tanks require 8-10 hours of light per day on medium intensity. A longer photoperiod will likely cause algae blooms to occur. A 6-hour photoperiod is often beneficial in the first couple weeks as your plants begin to establish.

Is red or blue light better for aquatic plants?

Colors of Light for Healthy Growth of Aquatic Plants Red and blue lights are used in photosynthesis of plants. Red light is attenuated rapidly in water while blue light has better penetration in water.