If you have chosen nothing but 'Easy' plants, 10-20 lumen (0.25 to 0.5 watts) per litre is adequate. That all depends upon which plants you have chosen for your aquarium. (20 lumens corresponding to 0.5 watt T5 tube per litre, 40 lumens corresponding approximately to 1 watt T5/litre.) To make it simple, we explain here how many lumens we recommend per litre of water in an aquarium for a selection of plants from the Easy, Medium or Advanced category. The value is written on the packaging for all light bulbs, fluorescent tube lamps, LEDs, etc. Lumens refer precisely to how much light a particular light source gives off, rather than how much energy it produces. It is advisable instead to find the number on the packaging which tells you how many lumens the light source produces. However, this makes it very difficult to compare different kinds of light sources, because light bulbs, fluorescent tube lamps and LED lighting are not directly comparable on this point. Previously, a light bulb or fluorescent tube lamp was classified by how much electricity it used (Wattage). The lumen, level of brightness, is always written on the packaging. Here, we show you how you can put the information from the packaging on the fluorescent tube or bulb to practical use in the aquarium. Coverage: Because LED lights are usually arrayed in a strip, you can get coverage over a wide area of your aquarium.Choose the correct light source for your needs.There are even arrays with different colors of LED lights you can program for your needs. If you want a night lunar light that will make your fluorescent fish glow, 445-nanometer royal blue lights are popular. The 12K white and magenta combination can be perfect for planted aquariums. Add a magenta or magenta/blue LED and you also bring out greens, blues, and reds while proving more support for your plants. For example, 8,000K white spectrum promotes photosynthesis of your plants and enhances the colors of orange, red, and yellow fish. They are marketed by spectrum (often in the Kelvin or K system), and you can choose which suits your purpose. Color options: LED lights come in a variety of colors, which can be used to accent the tank in interesting ways.Or, let your smart lighting system determine the temperature and the stage of plant growth and select the right colors and wavelengths. You can have fun changing the light with the remote or using an app on your phone.

There are even LED lighting strips that replicate the monthly lunar cycle. This is particularly good for nocturnal fish, as a dim blue light can be left on the tank to simulate moonlight and allow for feeding and viewing purposes. Adjustable light intensity: LED lights can be dimmed and programmed, allowing for a natural dimming at sunset and the reverse at sunrise.

While they cost more initially, you will save the money you would spend in replacement bulbs over five years for metal halide, T5, or compact fluorescent bulbs. LED lights last for up to 50,000 hours (almost six years) as compared with four to 12 months for incandescent bulbs, six to 18 months for standard fluorescent bulbs and metal halide bulbs, and up to 28 months for compact fluorescent bulbs.

Long life: A very popular advantage of LED lights is the fact that they last far longer than other traditional types of lighting.

However, they still need good air circulation so the heat they put off doesn't degrade the lifespan of the LED chip, and keep them away from other types of lighting that produce heat. Low heat output: LED lights do not generate the heat that incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs do, so they won't heat up your aquarium water.Your energy cost savings alone will make up the difference in the cost of LED system in the first year to 18 months. LED aquarium lighting uses less electricity than other aquarium lights. Low energy consumption: They take less energy to run-quite a bit less.

Fish tank aquarium black light