What Light is Best for My Aquarium? A Guide to Understanding Aquarium Lighting

I get a lot of questions about lighting aquariums, here's a crash course on the basics you need to know to understand lighting and how to choose an aquarium light!

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[mikestambaugh]

Always good technical info on plant lighting

[paulday]

Hi Bradley. I’m returning to fishkeeping after a lapse of 25 years and whilst many of the basic principles haven’t changed, my goodness, the technology has really moved on. I’ve found your lighting guides in particular to be most informative and really appreciate the advice you’ve provided.

[icegypsy]

Really helpful. Researching a light for my new 50g. 36x18x18 planted tank. No Co2

[jameswilson]

Bentley I'm 71 when I was starting up in fish tanks too grow plants it was a sixty watt bulb, but it was inn the water, well the first inch at least and it did work butt I used to blow a few bulbs. Just don't switch on soon after you've switch it off. The good old day's.
Tugger
Edinburgh
Scotland

[stevecox]

Such great information. Like anything else in this hobby, there really is no one absolute answer. So many variables regarding tank size, plants, personal preference, features in the lights such as app/separate channel controls/timers. Almost impossible to tell someone THIS is the best. Thanks for all the great info to guide someone in the right direction for their needs.

[RB-mbul]

What lighting would you recommend for a 125 gallon tank? I would like a dwarf hairgrass carpet, and then mostly medium to low tech plants.

[rosegeary]

Thank you for another informative video. I am planning to buy a light for 36 gallon bow front planted tank. I want medium light. Decisions! Decisions!

[edstaart]

I could listen all the way and understand what you r saying/ explaining. Especially the part where you said : ignore all that. But it was understandable for sure.
I say if you buy a light get a " high light" which is dimmable. You can go all different ways like that. Finding that balance in your tank with your water and your selection of plants that's the tricky part what everyone need to figure out themselves. No science needed, start with 50% of your light and look at your plants, add nutrients to balance the tank. Now you can adjust ( higher) your light and balance it again with more nutrients. This is simple if you keep all plants with the same care fore. Next level is buying all the plants you like with all different needs, that's where the scaping begins, to create shadow areas for lowlight plants. Ramble ramble ramble, it's a great hobby. Thanks Bentley, have a wonderfull Christmas All.

[rosegeary]

I am fairly new to your channel and I just want you know how informative and easy to understand your presentations are. Outstanding ❤

[camillapreston]

I learnt so much in this video, and your presentation allowed my newbie brain to the science of lighting absorb it incredibly easily. Im in the process of the big decision of what lighting do I want to exchange my hard earned cash for. Todays lesson for myself watching this has greatly aided me to identify what my lighting needs are and apply them to research lighting units out there and find the match for those requirements. You truly are a Guru.

[swalker]

Dude I love you, thank you, thank you, thank you, I love how you explain stuff and give examples, I have been in this hobby for years but this light stuff has always been confusing, I have a 56 gal, with co2, 24 inches tall and I can not grow carpet plants, I am currently using 2 finnex 24/7 and it’s still not enough light I have been search all over on what to try and this video really helped, my plan is to get 2 of the fluval 24/7, that should be good to do a carpet once I add in the new substrate. Thank you again, 4ever fan

[collinskj]

You have a great way of explaining things, I really enjoy watching your videos.

[michaelsutton]

Very in formative learnt a lot thanks.

[mikebaker]

great look into the scientific aspect of picking a light. gives me a better understanding of what all those specs mean and higher numbers not necessary better

[yfrjytjjjytjdtnfyjytjdytj]

I have a FluvalSmart LED light and the plants are growing a ton

[aquanox]

great informatal video to explain lighting i know most of this but alot of newbes ill find this great to learn so good job love ur tanks look great

[Aquatic_Amigo]

What a good episode.. thanx for the light knowledge 💡

[pugamusmaximus]

I have a beamswork DA on a 20 high. It took some time and but I got my plants growing great. To keep algae from growing so fast I blocked the blue LEDs with electrical tape. I also put my hob on a timer to keep the water surface movement on the top to a minimum during the day. I'm sure of I add 2 more inches of substrate I can get even better growth with that added height. Great video as always. You're awesome.

[Vincent-kxze]

Still working on the right balance to control algae but this was helpful to move me forward.

[greenthumbaquariums]

Great stuff once again. Your Fluval 3.0 settings video is what I direct people to when they ask about configuring those lights. And now I've got a video to direct people to for general lighting info.