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Every plant needs light for the process of photosynthesis. Photosysnthasis is the process in plants to making the food with the help of lighting, source of Carbon and temperature. Light plays the major role in the process of photosynthesis but absence of carbon, temperature and Nutrients, the process of photosynthesis will be affected. High Temperature increases the rate of metabolism and the rate of photosynthesis. But too high temperature causes the death of plants.

Light: Light is the visible spectrum of Electro Magnetic Radiation.

Light in Aquarium
All of the plants have specific need of different spectrum. Some amount of light reflects when it enters in the water. Some amount of light specially red spectrum has absorbed by the water. Only blue spectrum with Ultra Violet spectrum reaches upto the bottom.

Most of the plants utilizes 5500degree Kelvin to 6500 degree Kelvin light. The red-yellow spectrum blooms up the algae in the aquarium. So we should always consider light between 6000 to 6500 degree Kelvin light sources in planted tanks. Blue spectrum slows the growth of aquatic plants and promotes the bushy growth. So this fact, we should always keep in mind before choosing light.

How much light we need?
Quantity of light emitted by any source is measured in lumens. Lighting is the most crucial question that nocks the mind of planted aquarium keepers. We should have enough light to promote the growth of plants. In earlier days, we consider the Watt Per Gallon rule. But now days, this rule is worth. At present we should follow the Lumens per Square inch of water.

Follow the mentioned chart to decide the amount of lighting:

Required level of light --------- Lumens/square inch
Low Light ------------------------------ 06
Moderate Light ----------------------- 12
High Light ----------------------------- 17
Very High Light------------------------ 22

Light Required in Aquarium= Length of aquarium X Breadth of aquarium X Level of light

How to choose suitable light for aquariums?
Now days different types of lighting sources are available in the market. They produce different level of lumens per watt.

Type of Light --------------- Lumens produce per Watt
T12 -------------------------------------------- 61.5
T8 --------------------------------------------- 92
T5 ---------------------------------------------100
PLL -------------------------------------------- 75
CFL ------------------------------------------- 62
Incadescent Bulb ---------------------------- 14
Metal Helide ---------------------------------100
LEDs ------------------------------------------ 150-231

very nice information atleast for me

Few pointers that can be checked.

> How to choose suitable light for aquariums?
Company make of the lights, as not all lights give same output.
Eg, 14W Oreva light gives less light compared to Philips

>How much light we need?
- where are you calculating it?? at surface of water or substrate level?
As its same LXB at surface and substrate

You should conscider optics and reflectors here


> Would be great if you throw some light on PAR and its measures.

getting problem in calculation, if i calculate that for my 1ft nano tank,it gives around 500 watt cfl

marsaiko wrote:Few pointers that can be checked.

> How to choose suitable light for aquariums?
Company make of the lights, as not all lights give same output.
Eg, 14W Oreva light gives less light compared to Philips

>How much light we need?
- where are you calculating it?? at surface of water or substrate level?
As its same LXB at surface and substrate

You should consider optics and reflectors here


> Would be great if you throw some light on PAR and its measures.

Later, I will also include other parameters.
You have to calculate only the surface area if tank height from substrate level is up to 20inch.

ishaan wrote:getting problem in calculation, if i calculate that for my 1ft nano tank,it gives around 500 watt cfl

Surface area of 1 ft cube is 12 X 12 = 144 square inch. If you are installing a 15 watt CFL, you will got 5.6 lumen per square inch.

Suppose you want moderate light calculate as =Length of Aquarium X Breadth of Aquarium X Moderate light
= 12 X 12 X12
=1728 Lumen
which can you got by installing 2 X 15 watt CFLs.

thanks sir

SCORPIO wrote: Suppose you want moderate light calculate as =Length of Aquarium X Breadth of Aquarium X Moderate light
= 12 X 12 X12
=1728 Lumen
which can you got by installing 2 X 15 watt CFLs.

that was explained beautifully.

Nice write up...very helpful to everyone...

Awesome!!

I vote this as a sticky topic.
Nice Pre-Birthday treat for us all

tank size is 18*9*9inch
1)considering high light: 18*9*17=2754lumen
2)considering very high light: 18*9*22=3564lumen

Now the present condition is 2*36watt Philips PLL, means: 36*2*75=5400lumen

Conclusion mine is more than extreme!!! am I right???