Features of lighting an aquarium and herbalist with LED spotlights and lamps: how to choose, secure, do it yourself

Range

But another parameter of light, the spectrum, not only clearly demonstrates a certain color and is responsible for the beauty of the picture, but also significantly affects the health of underwater greenery.
As you know, light is a wave. For our eyes, visible waves are in the range of 380-780 Nm. If the wave is longer or, on the contrary, shorter, then we simply will not see it.

But it is in this range that we perceive all other waves as different colors. Yellow-green-red, etc.

At the same time, we came up with names for them ourselves and agreed among ourselves on such a gradation.

we call the shortest waves violet

the longest ones are in red

And between them there is a whole bunch of shades and colors. So, in contrast to the color temperature discussed above, there are already significant differences in what color to shine on underwater plants. In principle, the same applies to ground-based ones.

Depending on this, their photosynthesis will also change. Here is this dependence in the form of a visual graph.

What conclusions can be drawn by looking at it? If you have a light-loving plant in your aquarium, give it more red and blue shades. And then everything will be fine with him.

But if you have placed so-called ground-bloods that adore shade on the bottom, then it is enough to shine only blue light on them.

But if you make a mistake and choose sources with large peaks of red and blue, where they are not needed, the plants will have big troubles in the form of threads, beards, etc.

When buying light bulbs, pay attention to the packaging. The spectrum that predominates in a given light source is usually indicated there.

Aquarium lighting

At home, three types of lamps are used:

• incandescent;
• LED;
• luminescent.

Photo gallery of aquariums with LEDs:

Lighting plays an important role in the life of freshwater aquarium inhabitants and plants. It helps in saturating the water with oxygen and useful substances. Lamps are turned on if necessary to increase daylight hours (up to 10-12 hours in winter) and the amount of light.

When there is excess light, the water begins to bloom and acquires a cloudy green tint. Algae grows, clogs the aquarium, and disturbs the inhabitants. Their photosynthesis process does not slow down in the absence or low light. They actively absorb nutrients from water. This immediately affects freshwater fish. They begin to experience oxygen starvation, often float to the surface to breathe, and the color intensity of the brightest representatives decreases.

Some aquarists choose multi-colored lighting as decoration. This is not beneficial for the mini-pond and freshwater. Plant photosynthesis is disrupted and fish become lethargic.

LED lamps are considered the most suitable. They distribute light evenly and have a number of advantages.

Comfortable light

Everything indicates that led lights for aquariums are a promising and durable investment.

They can be very different in power and consist of LED spotlights, strips and lamps. This opens up new horizons for the aesthetic design of aquariums and observation of the life of nocturnal fish. At the same time, maintenance procedures can be minimized, which saves time and allows you not to disturb the fish unnecessarily. And the owner of the aquarium can only enjoy its beautiful view and rich variety of inhabitants.

Calculation by lumens

To make a calculation using this method, you again need to know a certain constant value - a constant, from which you will actually have to “dance”.

50 lm/liter average for most aquariums

60 lm/liter for densely packed “cans”

40 lm/liter for aquariums with a predominance of mosses, ferns, bucephalandra, anubias

Many experts use these average indicators and they are right. But at the same time, there are certain nuances here.

Firstly, as you can see from the above data, the number of plants in the container and the types of this greenery play a significant role.

Secondly, all light sources shine differently. For example, fluorescent lamps emit light in all directions, and LEDs at an angle of 120 degrees.

What does this mean for the aquarium? Simply put, if you choose sources with LEDs and fluorescent lamps, then with the same indicators in lumens, in the second case not all lumens will end up in the water of the aquarium.

A significant part of them will be scattered around.

Of course, the problem can be solved in some way by installing reflectors, but they cannot always be mounted into the cover of a factory lamp.

Thirdly, do not forget about the dimensions of the aquarium, its width and height. The higher it is, the less light will penetrate to the very bottom.

Ultimately, what matters to you is how well the surface of the plants and their leaves are illuminated, not how well the lamps themselves glow.

Yes, and plants are different. Some like more light, others a little less.

Here is a table of summary data on the choice of some lamps, depending on the size of the aquarium (recommendations from the ADA company):

It turns out that sometimes both methods give not entirely correct results. In this case, when using fluorescent, and most often LED lighting, calculations are made in lux.

Calculation of lighting depending on the type of lamp

When calculating the illumination of an aquarium, many factors are taken into account. This is its depth, the number of plants and their need for light. But you need to start from the type of lamp. For example, LED spotlights provide high light intensity and are widely used for large, deep aquariums. The LED backlight can be installed directly in the water, which ensures uniform, excellent radiation.

Incandescent lamps produce a lot of heat and are low-power, so they are rarely used for aquarium lighting. Fluorescent lamps are characterized by good luminous efficiency, high power ratings, compatibility with other types of lamps and minimal energy consumption. They are installed in a lid, which allows you to save space without compromising the quality of aquarium lighting. Metal halide aquarium lighting lasts a long time and is often used to provide good intensity light in a Dutch or nautical style. The option has a wide range of work.

Metal halide lighting in an aquarium lasts a long time

An LED floodlight can emit a lot of heat, which must be taken into account when installing it and ensuring that it is dissipated.

Why LEDs are better than halogen, fluorescent and incandescent lamps

Before purchasing an aquarium, a very important point is the choice of a light source, which can be natural or artificial.

It is important to remember that natural light is not enough to ensure proper care of the fish and the herbalist, since the light, passing through the glass and the water column, loses its intensity. Prolonged exposure to the sun causes active growth of algae and, therefore, if this type of lighting is available (for example, the aquarium is on a windowsill), it should be limited

For example, curtains. And the duration of illumination should not exceed two hours

Prolonged exposure to the sun causes active growth of algae and, therefore, if this type of lighting is available (for example, the aquarium is on a windowsill), it should be limited. For example, curtains. And the lighting time should not exceed two hours.

LEDs have a number of advantages compared to other types of lighting:

Economical. Despite the high cost of LED light bulbs, they are cost-effective due to their long service life and low energy consumption. Incandescent lamps are inexpensive, but they also need to be changed more often. Incandescent lamps have very low efficiency and light output. Durability. Unlike incandescent lamps, whose service life is 1 thousand hours, LED lamps can operate up to 50 thousand hours without changing the spectrum of the emitted light. The ability to clearly select the required lighting spectrum suitable for different types of fish and plants. Interestingly, incandescent lamps, like LED lamps, have light that is as close to natural as possible. LEDs, compared to incandescent lamps, emit less heat, therefore, there will be no need for additional cooling of the aquarium. And incandescent lamps heat the upper layers of water in the aquarium, so in this case they are generally not applicable. The efficiency of fluorescent lamps is greatly reduced towards the end of their service life. The luminous flux they emit decreases, which affects all the inhabitants of the aquarium.

They are cheaper, but they need to be changed more often (due to reduced efficiency). Light-emitting diode (or LED) lamps are more resistant to mechanical damage than incandescent and fluorescent lamps, and are well protected from moisture penetration, which is important for a lamp designed to illuminate an aquarium and, therefore, be located near water. For example, halogen lamps are not recommended for use in conditions of high humidity, as they may explode. LED lamps are safe because they do not contain mercury (unlike fluorescent lamps), do not create ultraviolet and infrared radiation and do not require special disposal conditions after the end of their service life.

LED lamps do not flicker and reach full lighting power immediately after switching on.

However, for those who prefer to keep corals in the aquarium, powerful lighting is needed, which can be achieved with metal halide lamps. But here you need to focus on the specific type of coral and their lighting preferences.

Metal halide lamps are characterized by an optimal price, high power, and a wide range of luminous flux. There is one serious drawback: they get very hot, and therefore can only be used suspended and not lower than 30 cm from the surface of the aquarium.

A positive aspect for illuminating an aquarium with diodes is that LED lighting is most often directional, and not diffused, like other types of light bulbs.

The main disadvantage of fluorescent lamps is the need for a special starting device (which is sometimes already built-in), which heats up and creates noise.

Why is LED lighting better?

Due to the huge diversity of living creatures and greenery in a reservoir, it is necessary to “adjust” and sometimes use not one, but several different light sources to preserve all species, with the help of which you can extend the length of the day.

Some aquarists use LED spotlights, while others prefer conventional lamps. Still others use halogens or good fluorescent lamps, while others choose LED strips in the aquarium.

In theory, a normal light source:

1. It must emit rays in many spectral ranges at once, so that all plants (both lower and higher) grow and do not bloom. If you use, for example, ordinary lamps that have only a yellow spectrum, then higher plants may wither, and because of this, the water will quickly bloom.
2. Do not heat the water. A lamp installed in close proximity to any home water area warms it up, at least a little. Many fish cannot tolerate an increase in the temperature of the surrounding fluid by more than 2°C and may die.

Let's consider all the options and find out which lamps are more profitable to use:

1. Halogens are a good and economical source of luminous flux. They provide excellent light and do not emit much heat. But they are more expensive than regular ones.
2. A simple light bulb is a popular type of lighting for a mini-reservoir. But it only produces yellow light, which is unacceptable for higher plants. Such a lamp has a high heat output, and if it is located close to the aquarium, living creatures can die due to incorrect temperature conditions. To eliminate heat, you can use ice by throwing it into water in cellophane bags.
3. Luminescent samples were the most popular among aquarists. They are economical, durable, have a wide spectrum and diffused light. Just a pair of such lamps can fully illuminate a 400 liter pond. The spectrum produced depends on the gas inside them. But they are dangerous due to the presence of mercury vapor in the cylinder.
4. LED lights for a planted aquarium are the best option. Their low heat transfer and high efficiency are known to everyone. They are environmentally friendly and harmless to any inhabitant of the home depths. Their range is limitless.
5. LED strip is a little worse than the previous option. Sometimes you have to search for a long time for a suitable assortment. Many tapes have low light output, and if bright ones are not available, you have to increase their quantity.

Choosing the right lighting

LED strip, hermetically sealed in silicone, suitable for use on the bottom of an aquarium

Light in an aquarium plays a very important role, because when there is too much of it, or vice versa, not enough, the fish get sick and die. You should not assume that by placing the aquarium on the windowsill, the problem will be solved - rather, on the contrary, because the strength of sunlight is too great for a biosystem of this size. Therefore, it is best to choose the right artificial lighting, which in its effect will be similar to natural lighting.

The most common lighting for aquariums is LED and fluorescent. Despite the fact that for some time fluorescent lighting was very common, it is now being actively replaced by more modern LED lighting.

The calculation of LED lighting for an aquarium is somewhat different, because the usual W/L calculation formula is not applicable in this case. Aquarists with experience determine the required level “by eye,” and for those who are just starting out, they recommend taking 10 lumens per liter as a conditional minimum lighting level (a lumen is the measurement of light flux). The only minor drawback of these lamps is their rather high price.

How to make your own aquarium lighting

Aquarium with lighting

If you decide that you want to make lighting for your aquarium with your own hands, then it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with photos and videos on this topic.

After you have decided on the power of the lamps, you should choose the places where the LED lighting of the aquarium will be installed. You can attach them to the side panels of the lid, in front, or, if there are no live plants in the aquarium, connect the aquarium lighting with LED strip.

In order to avoid mistakes, we need a little instructions: take a diode LED strip, a bulb that matches the length of the strip, a power supply, silicone and an awl. If the connector in the power supply has a male connection, then you additionally need to purchase a 12 Volt female connector. It is also worth stocking up on foam rubber and a two-core wire to attach the tape.

Let's proceed directly to assembly and installation:

1. We use an awl to punch a small hole in the lid so that we can pull the wire through.
2. We solder the wire to the tape and connect it to the “mother” using clamping screws. After this, we glue pieces of foam rubber on the back side of the LED strip in several places to avoid movement of the material along the bulb.
3. Inside the flask, carefully lubricate all joints with sealant to avoid liquid ingress in the future.
4. After this, we connect the tape to the network and check its functionality. As a result, it turns out that lighting an aquarium with LED lamps is very simple and does not take much time.

Advantages of diode devices

Diode lamps have been used for aquarium lighting since recent times, but have already managed to displace many analogues from their leading positions. This is not surprising, because diodes have a large number of undeniable advantages.

1. Economical. In addition to the fact that the cost of devices is significantly lower than competitive products, LEDs are able to reproduce beams with increased brightness with minimal electricity consumption.
2. High strength. Regardless of the type of diodes, they have an increased degree of strength and therefore are not susceptible to mechanical stress. Due to the absence of a spiral, they do not respond to vibrations.
3. Operational life. The design can serve properly for more than 5 years, which is several times higher than its analogues.
4. Choice. Thanks to the spectral range, you can choose the most optimal option for both fish and plants.

Backlight color may vary

1. Safety. Since the lamps operate on low voltage, with open contacts they are not capable of causing much harm to the user. They can also be classified as fireproof light sources, since they have a protective layer against moisture.
2. Temperature. Even with continuous operation for 7-10 hours, the elements do not emit excess heat. Thus, the desired temperature is always maintained in the container.

VIDEO: DIY waterproof aquarium lighting

Advantages and disadvantages

LED lamps have advantages:

1. high performance;
2. cost savings;
3. low heat transfer;
4. long service life;
5. variety of luminescence spectrum;
6. absence of toxic substances in the composition;
7. strength;
8. protection from moisture;
9. no flicker;
10. compliance with natural daylight.

Minuses:

1. LED lighting still heats the water, so there is a need for heat removal.
2. In terms of price, some aquarium diodes are quite expensive.

Types of lighting

What light sources can be used in aquariums? Previously common:

incandescent light bulbs and energy saving lamps

Today the most common are:

LED strips and LED rulers

modern LED lamps

metal halide lamps

But the main thing is not what type of source you choose, but with what intensity it will shine. And will it be enough?

That is why here you need to make a preliminary calculation and not buy what is called at random or choose the lamp that shines the brightest. Just like you, your fish and plants do not enjoy being under light like a welding machine every day.

Although lighting is primarily needed for plants, not fish. They can coexist in twilight without any problems. After all, in natural conditions no one deliberately illuminates them with spotlights.

How do you know if the lighting is correct?

Ecobalance is affected by proper lighting and water pollution. It is not uncommon for the water to begin to bloom and become cloudy. This phenomenon indicates incorrect lighting. It provokes the active growth of pathogenic microorganisms. When aquarium inhabitants swim in polluted water only near the surface of the container, this indicates a lack of air and a strong excess of light.

If, after installing a homemade lamp, all aquarium inhabitants are still comfortable after 50-100 days, then this indicates the correct selection of optimal lighting. Necessary signs should be clear water and actively growing plants. Aquarium inhabitants must show interest in food. The appearance of new offspring should be observed.

With a lack of lighting, algae begin to lose their color. The appearance of plants begins to upset aquarists. A “black beard” forms on the stem and leaves. A dark coating indicates severe contamination of the container and lack of lighting.

When installing a lighting fixture, it is necessary to avoid directing light to the bottom of the container. Under natural conditions, the bottom of reservoirs is illuminated by the sun's rays. They pass through the water from top to bottom. Therefore, reverse lighting can cause severe harm to algae.

LED strip for aquarium use in lighting.

Using LED strip lighting.

Below are step-by-step instructions for setting up optimal aquarium lighting.

• Set of tools.
• A lid (box) for placing parts and finished units.
• Protective glass that protects them from moisture.
• LED strip type 3528 with 60 elements per meter. B p 12 volts.
• Soldering iron
• related materials
• copper wire.

Manufacturing technology.

Four segments are cut along the length of the lid, according to the markings on the tape. Each 5 cm module contains 3 pieces. LEDs. The ends are cleaned, exposing two current-carrying paths from the silicone film. One of them is positive, the second is negative. This operation is performed with all four segments. Seven ends are prepared for soldering, except for the eighth, which is not used in the diagram. First, connect two segments into one tape, observing the “+” and “-” indications. Check operation by connecting to a power supply that has the same polarity symbols. And also perform with two other segments. The connecting wires are measured in length in advance, avoiding sagging when installing the cover. Having soldered, the four segments are checked by connecting to the b/p. Control wire connections. All contacts are protected with insulating sealant. The prepared tape circuit is ready for installation. It is degreased with acetone, alcohol, and solvent. Then, with the adhesive part of the CD, all four strips are pressed. Rubber stops are fixed at the corners of the cover, adding rigidity to the structure. They hold the protective glass, which has been previously wiped. Having installed it on rubber stops, all joints around the perimeter are filled with sealant. To avoid contact with the body of the aquarium, the same pieces are glued to the protective glass of the lid, serving as a stop. The finished device is checked by connecting to the power supply.

Finished products for homemade work.

Diodes with the required parameters are selected from the existing assortment in light or aquarium stores. RGB tapes, different power LEDs, as well as STAR circuit boards (stars). Matrices 10-100 watts. Lenses, aluminum boards, radiators of different sizes, current sources 300-4500 mA, dimmer 2 starting from 350 mA, impenetrable and open LEDs, RGB controllers 3. Soft wires 1.5 mm. Fans for a personal computer for 12 V. Sockets and connectors for mounting lamps. Necessary components produced by popular manufacturers of LED products: Aquael, Hagen, Juwel, Aqua medic, Dennerie, Sera.

• Adapter is a connecting device.
• A dimmer is an electronic design that expands the functionality of LED lamps.
• RGB controller is a device for controlling the radiation mode and adjusting the light.

What are aquarium lamps for?

In midland conditions, it is not easy to provide acceptable lighting to an aquarium. You have to use additional lighting, which, depending on the time of year, should be long enough. If there is not enough light, the plants will not grow well and may get sick. If the light is too bright, the plants may get burned or the temperature of the water in the aquarium may rise and will have to be changed more often than usual.

The necessary lighting can be provided using aquarium lamps. The only problem is that different plants and animals need different amounts of light for normal life and growth. Fish and other aquarium animals need light to maintain their natural regime throughout the day. Plants need lighting for photosynthesis and the production of oxygen, which, as is known, occurs only in light. But even here it is necessary to take into account that for the growth of some plants one amount of light is needed, and for the growth of others, again, another.

The best aquarium lamps do not overheat the water, have a specific emission spectrum and distribute light evenly over the entire area of ​​the aquarium. So, if you have light-loving plants, then shine both blue and red shades on them, but for shade-tolerant plants, only blue will be enough.

Selecting power and number of LEDs

Illumination rate:

• aquarium without plants is 0.1-0.3 W/l,
• with shade-loving plants and fish: 0.2-0.4 W/l,
• herbalist with light-loving fish: 0.5-0.8 W/l,
• with a large number of plants: 0.8-1 W/l.

When using LED lamps, the results obtained should be divided by 7.

An important point in the calculation is the depth of the container.

As can be seen from the figure, with an initial illumination of 2000 Lux, the illumination at the bottom of 50 cm is 60.50 Lux. That is, the illumination decreases approximately by half every 10 cm. 60 Lux is the minimum value that you need to focus on when installing light bulbs for an aquarium.

The luminous flux is usually indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging, but there are also special tables on the Internet.

Some flux values ​​of LED lamps are shown in the table.

Calculation examples. Aquarium 100 liters.

№1. An average illumination of 50 lm/l is required, a total of 50 lm/l * 100 l = 5000 lm. There are LED lamps on sale with the lumens indicated on the packaging - 10W (800lm), 20W (1600lm). This means that we will need three 20W spotlights, which in total gives 1600lm + 1600lm + 1600lm = 4800lm, which is practically what we need.

№2. Moderate illumination of 35lm/l is required, total 35lm/l * 100l = 3500lm. We select the power and number of fluorescent lamps. It’s a little more complicated here, since with higher power the length of the lamp also increases, because you can’t build a lamp with a length of 895mm into an aquarium with a length of 600mm. But let’s ignore this for now, we only count power and quantity. JBL T8 lamps are on sale - 15W 438mm, 25W 742mm, 30W 895mm, 36W 1200mm and others. Let's say we are satisfied with lamps 742 mm long, 25 W each, according to the conversion table, 25 watts of a fluorescent lamp are equal to 1200 lumens, it is obvious that we will need three lamps 1200 lm + 1200 lm + 1200 lm = 3600 lm.

№3. A high 100lm/l is required, a total of 100lm/l * 100l = 10,000lm. LED lamps with a color temperature of 6500k are on sale - 10W (800lm), 20W (1600lm), 30W (2400lm), 50W (4000lm). This means that we will need 4 30W lamps, which in total gives 2400lm + 2400lm + 2400lm + 2400lm = 9600lm. Or 2 of 50W and 1 of 30W, for a total of 4000 + 4000 + 2400 = 10400lm.

Why do you need aquarium lighting?

The assertion of amateurs that you can put a container for fish on the window is deeply erroneous. Sunlight, according to false experts, is the most natural and correct for the underwater world. This misconception only leads to the death of aquarium fish and decay of aquatic vegetation. The rays of sunlight in the red spectrum and warm spectrum are detrimental to the aquarium biosystem, which has long been proven experimentally.

Artificial lighting for an aquarium, together with proper heating of water, creates the most favorable conditions for maintaining the life of aquatic inhabitants. This fully applies to both aquarium vegetation and fish of various breeds. The process of mixing water layers is a purely mechanical process. Proper organization of LED lighting for an aquarium with plants is a more complex procedure.

For aquatic life and plants, light energy plays a key role. Fish and simple organisms, being in a familiar environment, with properly selected rays of light, feed and lead an active lifestyle and reproduce. Without normal artificial light, plants turn pale, degrade and degenerate. The best option for installing LED lamps is to mount them on the lid of the aquarium.

Advantages of LED lighting for home underwater worlds:

1. Specifics of LED lamps operation: when illuminated, no heat is generated. This makes them fundamentally different from ordinary incandescent lamps. This circumstance provides an excellent opportunity for the owner of a tank with fish and plants to illuminate the interior space throughout the day. The water does not heat up, this process does not need to be controlled.
2. LED spotlights have a unique property: thanks to their design, the devices support the function of controlling the light level. That is, the light brightness is controlled by the device itself. For example, it records when day ends and night falls. The reverse change of the daily regime is carried out in a similar way: when the night ends and a new day begins.
3. The LED underwater lighting is equipped with another convenient function. Aquarium owners can enjoy watching the life of their underwater kingdom at night by lowering the LED glow level.

The most intense growth of green leaves and plants occurs at a light wavelength in the range of 600-700 n/m. Photosynthesis is essentially the construction of light rays and chemicals dissolved in an aqueous environment. Green plant leaves transform carbon dioxide into food for all aquarium inhabitants: fish, plants, etc.

Underwater lighting capabilities

Additional lighting for the aquarium, if necessary, is created by underwater lighting. Such lamps are attached to the walls using special suction cups and decorated with aquatic vegetation or stones.

An underwater lamp is a light source of different operating principles, placed in a sealed flask, which helps prevent danger to aquarium fish and other representatives of flora and fauna living in an artificial ecosystem.

The industry produces devices that emit light in the following spectrum tones:

• white;
• red;
• blue;
• green.

They help improve the illumination of the aquarium and enhance its decorative functions in the interior of the room.

Thanks to the use of LEDs and having certain knowledge in electrical engineering, many aquarists equip such devices themselves.

The organization of proper diffuse lighting of the aquarium is of great importance for the normal functioning of a closed ecosystem, affecting the metabolic processes of plants, photosynthesis and, consequently, the saturation of the aquatic environment with oxygen necessary for the life of living organisms.

In addition, skillfully created lighting and illumination allows you to turn an ordinary glass container into an original element of room design, attract the eyes of visitors and watch with interest the life of the inhabitants behind the glass, both in a small and large marine aquarium.

Characteristics of aquarium lamps

Before proceeding with the calculation methods, it is worth mentioning some terms and characteristics directly related to lighting equipment.

Watts (W)

this is a unit of power

It indicates exactly how much power the source consumes when it glows at maximum brightness.

Lumen (Lm)

a unit indicating the amount of light that a particular lamp emits

Lux

they measure illumination according to area

Let's say you have a surface with an area of ​​1 m2 and a luminous flux of 1 lumen falls on it. It is precisely the illumination of this surface that will be equal to 1 Lux.

Color temperature (K)

it is also called colorimetric temperature

It is measured in Kelvin. Its influence will be discussed in more detail below.

Spectrum (Nm)

Usually this means the electromagnetic spectrum

Here is a breakdown by wavelength and what color is best to “irradiate” plants.

How does all this relate to calculating the amount of light for an aquarium? Let's take a closer look at the three main methods.

Oddly enough, many still calculate the lighting level for aquariums only based on the power of the light bulbs. And this method really works in certain cases.

At the same time, everyone is guided by such an indicator as 0.5 watts per liter.

But this is for a slow herbalist or a small number of plants inside the tank.

For a densely planted, forced plant with a large number of long-stemmed plants, 1 W per liter will be required.

It would seem that it could be simpler, take it and simply multiply the displacement of the aquarium by 0.5 or 1 W. And voila - the lighting choice is made.

Books and textbooks on aquarium husbandry in the pre-Internet era were full of similar advice. Today this is true if the main light source is simple incandescent bulbs or round fluorescent T5 and T8.

This calculation method cannot be applied to LED models and strips, which were just coming into use at that time.

For example, you can have two light bulbs with the same watt parameters, but one will be fluorescent and the other LED.

Do you think they will work with the same intensity and productivity? What if we compare an incandescent lamp and an LED lamp? Here the difference will be even more significant.

Therefore, this method is considered to work quite well, only for fluorescent models and simple incandescent lamps.

To make a calculation using this method, you again need to know a certain constant value - a constant, from which you will actually have to “dance”.

50 lm/liter

average for most aquariums

60 lm/liter

for densely planted “cans”

40 lm/liter

for aquariums with a predominance of mosses, ferns, bucephalandra, anubias

Many experts use these average indicators and they are right. But at the same time, there are certain nuances here.

Firstly, as you can see from the above data, the number of plants in the container and the types of this greenery play a significant role.

Secondly, all light sources shine differently. For example, fluorescent lamps emit light in all directions, and LEDs at an angle of 120 degrees.

What does this mean for the aquarium? Simply put, if you choose sources with LEDs and fluorescent lamps, then with the same indicators in lumens, in the second case not all lumens will end up in the water of the aquarium.

A significant part of them will be scattered around.

Of course, the problem can be solved in some way by installing reflectors, but they cannot always be mounted into the cover of a factory lamp.

Thirdly, do not forget about the dimensions of the aquarium, its width and height. The higher it is, the less light will penetrate to the very bottom.

Ultimately, what matters to you is how well the surface of the plants and their leaves are illuminated, not how well the lamps themselves glow.

Yes, and plants are different. Some like more light, others a little less.

Here is a table of summary data on the choice of some lamps, depending on the size of the aquarium (recommendations from the ADA company):

It turns out that sometimes both methods give not entirely correct results. In this case, when using fluorescent, and most often LED lighting, calculations are made in lux.

This is interesting: Choosing LED street lights

DIY aquarium LED lighting.

Observe safety precautions when working with electricity near a container of water: turn off the mains voltage, and do not allow water to get on the uncovered parts of the lamp.

Lighting of a 40 liter pond.

To manufacture the device you must have the following.

LED placement.

A cover of the appropriate size for mounting 16 one-watt LEDs in it. Including 10 white, 4 red and 2 blue. This range of color selection ensures optimal plant growth. White diodes with a glow temperature of 6500 K and a flux of 100 lm. The driver (power supply) is sufficient for 1-watt LEDs in the amount of 12-18 pcs.

You may be interested in the article 5 reasons in favor of LED lighting

Aluminum plates that serve as radiators are mounted into the cover from the inside. They are attached with super glue. Additionally, they are placed on substrates 1 (stars), which also play the role of a heat sink. Figure 1. Diodes are attached with thermal paste. The radiator area is quite sufficient to cool 16 elements. Having drilled the holes, then fasten the SD with screws.

White LEDs are located on the outer rows. Middle: red and blue. All elements are connected in a sequential circuit - “plus” to “minus”. The output is connected to the driver, on the other side of the cover. First, they check the quality of the installation of the diodes by the glow inside, and then make sure after installing it on the aquarium.

For a volume of 200 liters

Use SD 40 pcs. power 3 W. Sometimes the brightness of light is determined by the following ratio: one second watt per liter of water. However, with increasing depth these figures double. LED lighting in the lower layers should ensure photosynthesis of plants and the release of the required amount of oxygen.

Sometimes they arrange lunar night illumination by connecting a small section of blue LED. It is placed at the level of the bottom of the reservoir from the back wall of the aquarium. The timer turns it on at the set time.

Necessary materials, tools.

• LED lamps 40 pcs.
• Connectors (sockets) 40 pcs.
• The wire is copper.
• Plastic profile (gutter) 2.5 m wide 10 cm.
• Current source (12 volts).
• Tool, milling cutter 48 mm for machining holes.
• The substrate is a flexible plate with elements.
• Timer is a device for temporary switching of an electrical circuit.
• Cooler - cooling unit.

Device manufacturing technology.

Prepare two pieces of profile along the length of the aquarium. 20 holes are drilled in a meter-long bottom in a checkerboard pattern. The diodes are inserted and secured. Each is connected in parallel to b p 1. The cooler (fan) is mounted in places of increased heating of the lid or abundant evaporation.

General characteristics of aquarium lighting

The main characteristics of lighting include power, color temperature, color rendering coefficient and light spectrum.

Power is the energy that is transferred by radiation through a surface per unit time. The power of lighting sources for aquariums is 8-56 W.

Color temperature of aquarium lamps.

Color temperature is a parameter that measures a person’s perception of the color of light flux. Based on the value of this value, lighting is considered warm, cold or neutral. Blue means high color temperature, red means low.

The color temperature of shades of white light is as follows: warm white - 3000 K, cool white - 5000 K, neutral white - 4000 K. Lighting devices with a color temperature of 6500-8000 K can convey the natural color of underwater plants.

Color rendering coefficient – ​​this parameter determines the degree of correspondence between colors visible to humans and natural colors. The values ​​of this coefficient range from 0 to 100.

If it is 0, then the lighting fixture does not transmit colors. If the coefficient is in the range from 91-100, then the color is as close as possible to the original.

The light spectrum is a range of waves visible to the human eye from 380 to 789 nm, which are perceived as different colors. Short waves in our perception are violet, long waves are red.

Selection by volume

Lighting levels are calculated using the watts per liter rule. The total power of all light sources in the aquarium must be divided by its volume. A value of 0.1 W/l or more means that the lighting is strong, 0.25 W/l is weak.

An example of properly selected lighting for a large aquarium.

With the active use of energy-saving technologies, this rule has ceased to be universal. Different lighting devices, having the same power, emit different amounts of light.

Light intensity

Lighting levels are calculated using the watts per liter rule. The total power of all light sources in the aquarium must be divided by its volume. A value of 0.1 W/l or more means that the lighting is strong, 0.25 W/l is weak.

With the active use of energy-saving technologies, this rule has ceased to be universal. Different lighting devices, having the same power, emit different amounts of light. Therefore, when selecting the level of illumination, lumens began to be used instead of watts. The total number of lumens must be divided by the volume of the tank. A high level of illumination is considered to be more than 50 Lm/l, low – 15-25 Lm/l, medium – 25-50 Lm/l.

Selection rules

When choosing an LED lamp, consider:

1. what plants and fish live in the aquarium;
2. product reviews;
3. luminous flux intensity;
4. color temperature.

For the remaining lamps, the correct selection of power will be required. The table below shows the characteristics of different light sources.

Lighting calculation

Luminous power is calculated in lumens (Lm) and characterizes the light source. The level of illumination characterizes the surface on which the light falls and changes in lux (Lx). 1 Lx = 1 Lm/m2. For a pond with unpretentious plants, 3000–6000 Lx is sufficient. 6000–10000 Lux for more demanding plants. To equip a herbalist you will need 10,000–15,000 Lux. Light power is calculated in three steps:

1. Find the area of ​​the illuminated surface.
2. Determine the required level of illumination.
3. Multiply the area and the light level.

For example, the area of ​​a tank with a width of 1 m and a height of 0.7 m is 0.7 m 2. For example, let’s take the required illumination level of 10,000 Lux. We multiply 10000 and 0.7 and get 7000 Lm.

How much LED light is required per liter?

Based on the efficiency of the lamp and the type of aquarium, a minimum of 15 Lm will be required for each liter of water. For moderate flora growth 25–40 lm. More active growth of herbalist requires a light power of 40–55 Lm/l.

Power selection

Inexpensive diodes produce 80–100 Lm/W. LEDs from famous brands up to 140 Lm/W. On average, for a 100-liter aquarium you will need 2 LED spotlights of 25 W each or one of 50 W. For a 50-liter container, two medium-power LED lamps are enough.

Colorful temperature

Select lamps of different spectrums: blue, red, white and green. Be careful with the latter, a little green light is required. You can get by exclusively with white-spectrum LED lamps; in this case, the lighting of the aquarium will be less close to realistic. Sometimes a phytolamp is used to diversify the spectrum, but you should be careful with it, otherwise you can get an outbreak of algae. Color temperature is measured in kelvins (K). Some spectrum values:

1. Up to 4000 K – red;
2. From 6000 K – blue-violet;
3. 3500–5000 K – white;
4. 2500–2800 K – yellow.

How to count incorrectly

The common method of calculating W/L is incorrect. It was relevant for incandescent lamps. The luminous flux of LED lamps at similar powers is much stronger. Calculation according to this scheme leads to the choice of a lamp that is too powerful. The error is possible by 2 or even 3 times.

Selection of floodlights

When choosing an LED spotlight, you need to understand what its features are and which option is suitable for an aquarium. When illuminating plants, it is worth buying products that emit white light; for algae, a yellow tint will be more pleasant. The color spectrum should be red, as it has a beneficial effect on plants and stimulates their growth. If there are flowering crops inside the tank, then you need to place a blue lamp in front of the aquarium.

To make aquatic inhabitants comfortable, it is recommended to use mixed light. To create a particular spectrum, you need to focus on the temperature of the lighting fixtures. Highlight:

• warm;
• neutral;
• cold light.

LED lamps are usually used in closed aquariums, mounted under the lid of the product. If the tank is open, then installing floodlights would be optimal. Depending on the size of the container, you can select the number of lighting fixtures and their power. You can use outdoor spotlights if the intensity of their illumination does not exceed the limits necessary for the normal growth and habitation of the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Spotlights can have different types of diodes:

• The COB is one large diode inside the product;
• SMD is a lot of small diodes.

There are varieties with and without a driver. The first option is considered to be of higher quality, as it allows you to work from different voltages. To check how smooth and uniform the light from the spotlight will be, you need to point your phone camera at it. If there are stripes and noise on the screen, then the light is uneven, and if the image does not change significantly, then this is the best option for use in an aquarium. Proven options are the Soyuz and TDM SDO 10-2N products.

Types of LED lamps

It is best to choose a herbal aquarium with a height of no more than 60 cm. At this height, the light will reach all plants and ensure their normal growth and development. The predominant light should be white. Plants do not like yellow color, but algae do the opposite.

The predominant spectrum of light is red, which is responsible for the growth and development of plants. Installed centrally at the back of the aquarium. A blue lamp installed at the front wall of the tank will help with flowering and is installed in saltwater aquariums. The optimal option for installing fluorescent light bulbs (4000-5000 K) is on top of the container. The basic rule when lighting an aquarium: the light should be mixed.

An important parameter of light bulbs is their color temperature, which is measured in degrees Kelvin. There are three groups of light sources according to this parameter:

• warm white light (up to 3500 K);
• neutral white or daylight (3500-5300 K);
• cool white (from 5300 K).

If the temperature is below 4000 K, the light will be more red, and if above 6000 K, the light will be bluer.

To illuminate aquariums, lamps with a color temperature from 5500 K to 20000 K are required.

Aquarium lighting with LED lamps and spotlights

LED lamps are produced in a linear type (as a rule, this is a modular design of several light bulbs connected by a special cord with connectors and an adapter) and with sockets of different sizes.

The lids of some 50-liter aquariums have sockets for lamps with E27 and E14 sockets.

If the aquarium is open, then you can use an LED spotlight, which will provide powerful lighting. For an aquarium with a volume of 100 liters, one 50 W spotlight or, for example, two 25 W each will be sufficient.

In the aquarium hobby, LED lamps of the T8 or T5 type are most widely used. The first type is cheaper, the second is more expensive, but its characteristics are higher.

Selecting a manufacturer of LED elements

Aquarium lighting with LED lamps is becoming increasingly popular. Today, LED lighting is offered by several companies:

• Aqua Med.
• Aquael.
• Hagen.
• Juwel.
• Sera.
• Dennerle.

In addition to those officially existing, there is a huge list of companies from China where LED products can be purchased for a lower amount. In this case, you will have to check the quality yourself. But one thing is known for sure: the parameters of Chinese LEDs differ by an order of magnitude to a lesser extent. That is, if the luminosity of European and Japanese LEDs corresponds to the parameters, then the Chinese ones will shine weaker.