Selection Guide:
Step 1: Determine Fixture Size and Quantity
Standard Selection: Fixture length should be 10-15cm shorter than aquarium length
Light Coverage: Single fixture provides effective coverage of approx. 30-35cm width; wider tanks require multiple fixtures in parallel
Height Consideration: Water depth >50cm requires high-power models or reduced hanging height
Step 2: Select Basic Setup Based on Plant Type
Shade-Tolerant Aquatic Plants (Ficus, Moss, Iron Crown):
Light Intensity: Low to Medium (PAR 30-60 μmol/s)
Lighting Duration: 6-8 hours/day
Spectrum Settings: Blue Light 40%, Green Light 35%, Red Light 25%
Sun-loving aquarium (Red Palace, Sun Grass, Dwarf Pearlweed):
- Light intensity: High (PAR 80-150 μmol/s)
- Lighting duration: 8-12 hours/day
- Spectrum settings: Blue light 35%, Green light 25%, Red light 40%
Mixed Planting Tank:
- Zone lighting: High intensity in foreground, medium in midground, high red light ratio in background
- Use multi-light systems to control different zones separately
- Or use a single light with reflectors to adjust intensity in different zones
Step 3: Fine-tune based on aquarium conditions
- CO2 supplementation: Tanks with CO2 systems can tolerate higher light intensities
- Fertilizer application: High light levels require ample nutrients, especially iron and micronutrients
- Fish density: Reduce lighting duration in high-density tanks to control algae
- Water temperature: Lower light intensity when above 28°C to reduce thermal stress
