Aquarium Lighting Basics Part Six

– Light Levels in Aquariums

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced aquarist, understanding light levels in aquariums is crucial. Appropriate light levels help to create healthy and attractive aquarium conditions. Generally, light levels in aquariums include low, medium, and high intensities. These different levels of illumination have distinct effects on the growth, behavior, and overall health of the aquarium inhabitants. For example, supporting photosynthesis in plants and enhancing the colors of fish and corals. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of light levels in aquariums.

• Content Table

• Do LED lights get hot
• What is low vs. medium vs. high light
• What are the optimal levels of lighting for my tank
• Best LED lighting levels for aquarium plants
• LED lighting facts

Do LED lights get hot

Compared with traditional lights, like incandescent or fluorescent lights, LED lights commonly produce significantly lower heat. The heat is typically dissipated through the heat sink or other cooling mechanisms built into the light fixture. In most cases, the heat produced by LED lights is not significant enough to have a noticeable impact on the water temperature in an aquarium.

However, in certain cases where LED lights are used in a small, enclosed space with poor ventilation, or if multiple LED lights are concentrated in a small area, there could be a slight increase in water temperature. This is more likely to happen in smaller aquariums or aquarium setups with limited air circulation.

To prevent any potential heat buildup, it is advisable to ensure proper ventilation and maintain a suitable distance between the LED lights and the water surface. Additionally, to ensure the water temp is within the appropriate range, you’d better monitor the aquarium temperature regularly with a thermometer.

What is low vs. medium vs. high light

The effective value and range of low, medium, and high light

Light levels	Effective value	Range
Low Light	10–50 lumens per gallon (lm/gal) or 2.6-13 lumens per liter (lm/L)	10–100 lumens per gallon (lm/gal) or 2.6-26 lumens per liter (lm/L)
Medium Light	50–100 lumens per gallon (lm/gal) or 13–26 lumens per liter (lm/L)	50–200 lumens per gallon (lm/gal) or 13–53 lumens per liter (lm/L)
High Light	Approximately 100 lumens per gallon (lm/gal) or 26 lumens per liter (lm/L) and above	Approximately 200 lumens per gallon (lm/gal) or 53 lumens per liter (lm/L) and above

How light levels are measured in LED lights?

Light levels in LED lights are typically measured using two main parameters: luminous flux and illuminance.

Luminous flux measures the total amount of visible light emitted by an LED light source. It is typically measured in lumens (lm). The higher the luminous flux value, the brighter the LED light will appear.

Illuminance measures the intensity of light falling on a surface. It quantifies how much light is reaching a particular area. Illuminance is typically measured in lux (LX), which represents one lumen per square meter. Lux meters, also known as light meters, are used to measure illuminance.

Features and roles of best LED light level: low, medium, and high

Light levels	Features	Roles
Low light	Featuring relatively dim illumination, the light intensity is typically lower, and the color temperature may be on the warmer side, creating a subdued lighting effect.	1. Low light is suitable for aquarium setups with low-light plants or for aquariums where a more natural, low-light environment is desired. 2. Low light helps create a calming atmosphere and is often used in aquariums with slow-growing or shade-tolerant plants. 3. Low light levels can also help reduce algae growth.
Medium-light	Medium-light levels provide moderate brightness and a balanced color temperature, usually in the range of 5000-7000 Kelvin. It results in a more vibrant and visually appealing display.	1. Medium light promotes healthy plant growth, encourages more compact and bushy growth forms, and enhances the colors of both plants and fish. 2. Medium light levels are suitable for a wide range of aquarium plants, including those that require moderate to highlight levels.
High light	High light levels are characterized by intense illumination and a higher color temperature, typically in the range of 6500-10000 Kelvin. This produces a bright and crisp lighting effect.	1. High light is used for aquarium setups with demanding or light-hungry plants that require high levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for optimal growth. 2. High light promotes rapid plant growth, encourages lush and compact growth forms, and enhances the colors of both plants and fish.

What are the optimal levels of lighting for my tank?

When it comes to the optimal levels of lighting, you should consider the aquarium types (e.g. planted aquariums, reef aquariums, or fish-only aquariums), the specific needs of aquatic pets and plants, and the available aquarium lighting equipment. Generally, deeper tanks may require stronger lighting to ensure sufficient light penetration. Consider the depth and size of your tank when selecting lighting fixtures to ensure that the light can reach all areas of the tank.

For planted tanks, the light intensity is around 15-30 PAR at the substrate level for low-light plants, 30-80 PAR for medium-light plants, and 80-150 PAR for high-light plants. Adjust the duration of light exposure (photoperiod) based on the plant’s needs, typically ranging from 8 to 12 hours per day.

If you have a 20-gallon tank keeping betta fish and java moss, 60cm in length, 30cm in width, and 40cm in height. Then 18W or 24W 978 LED light is an excellent choice. It is recommended to keep the light on for about 8–10 hours each day. And you can choose the Default Mode, which mimics sunrise and sunset.

Best LED lighting levels for aquarium plants

In this segment, we will list some lighting levels and requirements for some aquarium plants.

Aquatic plants	Moss, Java fern, Anubias	Red flame sword, Micro sword, Pearl weed	Red or colored aquatic plants
Lighting levels	Low light plants	Medium-light plants	High light plants
Lighting hours	8–10 hours	10 hours	10–12 hours
Light intensity	10-20 lumens/liter	20-40 lumens/liter	More than 40 lumens/liter
PAR values	15-30 PAR (10-50 μmol/s)	30-80 PAR (50-120 μmol/s)	More than 80 PAR (120-200 μmol/s, or higher)

LED lighting facts

Though LED lights are better options. Their light intensity may lower over time. This is because the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of LED lights age with use. Also, properly using LED lights is not harmful to the eyes and skin.

Related topic about aquarium lighting

Aquarium Lighting Basics:

• Three – Lighting Requirements for Planted Aquarium
• Four – Tropical Fish Lighting Requirements
• Five – Lighting Color You Should Know
• Setting the Properly Aquarium Lighting Intensity