#lowtechtank

Why LED Aquarium Lighting Can Be Underrated For Low-Tech Planted Tanks!

White LED lighting is one of the most overlooked options for planted aquariums, but it’s actually a simple and effective way to grow plants in low-tech tanks.

In this video I talk about why plain white LED aquarium lights can work just as well as many of the more expensive lighting options on the market. A lot of hobbyists get caught up in RGB, WRGB, and “full spectrum” marketing, but the truth is that white light already contains the full spectrum of light that aquarium plants need to grow.

Plants primarily use light in the 400–700 nm range for photosynthesis, often referred to as PAR (photosynthetically active radiation). When you look at the spectral distribution of many white LED lights, you’ll see that they already provide strong coverage across this entire range. For example, the spectral graph from my Chihiros AII white LED light clearly shows plenty of usable light for plant growth.

The good news is that you don’t need an expensive aquarium light to take advantage of this. Many aquarists successfully grow plants using simple white shop lights or floodlights connected to a timer. These budget options can still produce great results, especially in low-tech planted aquariums where the plant demand for light is lower.

That said, depending on where you live, buying a shop light and a timer can sometimes end up costing about the same as purchasing a dedicated aquarium light anyway. So it’s always worth comparing the prices before deciding which option works best for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that white LED lights can sometimes use slightly more power compared to RGB or full spectrum lights that include targeted red and blue LEDs. Those lights can be more energy efficient when emphasising specific peaks in the spectrum.

But despite that, the most important takeaway is simple: white LED lights absolutely can grow aquarium plants.

I personally run white LED lighting on three of my planted tanks, and I know plenty of other hobbyists who use them successfully as well.