

There is a good video from AquaPros that shows you how to make your own DIY PAR meter with the Apogee sensor and a digital multimeter that will work for a planted tank. Measuring PAR with a tool can be a crazy expense as the tool available are designed for reef aquariums. Because this is more intense light, this required more maintenance to prune down plants and control algae issues.Ī more detailed list is below by Species from The Barr Report forum: Measuring Your PAR This lighting intensity allows for great plant density and mitigates the shading effects of larger plants. This level of intensity is ideal for red-colored aquarium plants. This light level is ideal for carpet plants like Eleocharis Dwarf Hairgrass.ġ50-250 PAR. You may not get the best coloration with red-colored plants though. With this light level and proper C02 regulation, you can grow any available plant with this intensity level. This is best suited for shade aquarium plants or low-light requirement plants like Java Moss.ġ00-150 PAR. We can break down PAR levels into the following categories:Ģ5-50 PAR. Just like saltwater reef tanks, plants need to have a certain intensity that we can measure in PAR. The Kevin rating is just a visual rating of the light. While this is the standard you will see, other factors will matter such as the spread and intensity of the light. In general, most manufacturers aim for a 6500K spectrum light. This may mean you will have to either shop around, purchase a higher-end light, or customize the spectrum on the LED model if customization is available. You want to have 40-70% of the light in the red and blue spectrum. What you will find in many LED models out there is that the spectrum is deficient in reds and blues. The goal with planted tank spectrum is a balanced spectrum with an emphasis on red and blues. There isn’t a lot posted online about planted tank light spectrum, which I find disappointing given the number of LEDs on the market. Step 1 – Understanding Planted Tank Light Spectrum In a hurry? The best LED Light for planted tanks is the Twinstar E Series LEDįreshwater LED lighting can be broken down into three elements:

Picking the top LED lights for planted tanks can be a little bit tricky because there is so much out there, but I hope this guide is just as comprehensive and as information as our Best Reef LED post. The best freshwater planted lights these days are LEDs as they provide great functionality and customization. A successful freshwater planted tank starts with proper lighting and spectrum. You may have seen incredible aquascaped aquariums with great-looking plants and competitions at trade shows. The freshwater planted tank is the pinnacle of the freshwater tank hobby.
