Aquarium Lights: How Much Light, and LEDs Compared
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Lighting is mostly about consistency. Here's what Habitattitude and Purdue Extension say, and lights that automate it. Product details are from the listings; we haven't tested them.
How much light
- A steady cycle: Habitattitude: "a 12-hour light/dark cycle is healthy. Avoid constant lighting that promotes algae."
- Plants: Purdue: a planted tank needs "at least 8 to 10 hours of light a day." It adds that Cryptocoryne "needs little light," while Vallisneria and Sagittaria "need lots of light."
- Algae as a gauge: Purdue: "If algae grows fast, your tank is getting too much light. With too little light, algae won't grow at all but neither will the plants."
- LEDs: Habitattitude says LEDs are energy-efficient, generate little heat and last 10,000 to 50,000 hours.
Lights compared
hygger 24/7 LEDs
A default mode cycles from orange sunrise to white daylight to blue moonlight, and a DIY mode sets time, brightness and color, per the listing. hygger's official sizing pairs wattage to tank length: for example, 14W for 12-18 in. and 18W for 18-24 in. tanks. (The 14W Amazon listing says 12-20 in.)
hygger 24/7 Clip-On LED (14W)
- For 12-20 in. tanks, per the listing
- Sunrise, daylight and moonlight auto cycle
- DIY timer: 6, 10 or 12 hours
hygger 24/7 LED (18W)
- For 18-24 in. tanks, per the listing
- Sunrise, daylight and moonlight auto cycle
- Extendable bracket
Fluval Plant 3.0
Programmable 24-hour light cycle, full spectrum with six band waves, and preset habitat modes, per the listing. The 22W version fits 15-24 in. tanks.
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED (22W, 15-24 in.)
- Programmable 24-hour light cycle, per the listing
- Full spectrum, six band waves
- Preset habitat modes; extendable brackets
Kits with lights
The kits in our starter kit guide include LED lighting. Fluval's Flex 2.0 has RGB plus white LEDs with a remote; see Flex vs Spec.
FAQ
How long on?
About 12 hours; planted tanks at least 8-10.
Algae?
Often too much light, per Purdue.
LED heat?
Little, per Habitattitude.