Lighting

While LEDs look fantastically sleek and are growing in popularity, the majority do not bring out the best coloration in plants. The ones featured here are what we consider the best available current options.

How to fine-tune light spectrum for better color and pigmentation for your planted tank.

Blue light suppresses inter-nodal stem distance in land plants, does this apply to aquatics?

So, you have got the right light spectrum for your planted tanks. How can you boost plant colours further with your T5s or LEDs? Read on to find out more.

There is a widespread belief that 6500K is the optimal value for photosynthesis in planted tank. Is this true?

We review the ongoing debate among freshwater aquarists on the relative merits of LEDs vs fluorescent T5 tubes.

How does dispersion impact light strength? What are the advantages of a wider light array? When does fixture spread matter?

A deeper exploration into the relationship between light spectrum and photosynthesis; and the difference in absorption vs action spectrum.

A deeper discourse on the term K rating, its applications and its impact on planted aquariums.

What exactly is Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR)? How do I make sense of PAR tables?

How much does 'the 'colour rendering index', or CRI, matters when it comes to choosing between lights / bulbs for your planted tank?

 

Why are leaves green? Does green plants need green light? There is a widespread belief that plants do not use green light for photosynthesis.​ An insight research paper from the University of Tokyo suggests otherwise. Read on to find out more.