7 best aquarium lamps

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Lighting is one of the key elements in aquarium design, but its functions are not limited to aesthetics. The growth rate and efficiency of the photosynthetic processes of plants depend on a properly selected lamp; with the help of color temperature, the reproduction of algae can be regulated. Experts will tell you how not to get lost in the variety of options and choose the right lamp for the needs of the aquarium.

How to choose an aquarium lamp

1. A type. Metal halide lamps are considered the best and most professional: they are leading in all respects, have a long service life and are able to illuminate well even deep aquariums. The only drawback of this type is strong heating, which is why they need to be suspended at least 30 cm above the water's edge. In medium-sized aquariums, fluorescent or LED lamps are usually used. Both types have acceptable characteristics and can be tailored to the individual needs of the buyer.
2. Lamp wattage is measured in watts. There is no general formula by which one could calculate the appropriate power for any aquarium: it is necessary to take into account both the parameters of the tank itself, and the quality of the water, the number and type of plants. For most of the underwater flora, the optimal indicator will be 0.5-0.8 W per liter of water. When the aquarium is densely populated with plants, the power should be increased, but shade-loving species will be satisfied at 0.2-0.4 W / l. It should be borne in mind that different types of lamps can produce different amounts of light even at the same power.
3. The spectrum affects the quality of photosynthesis. Shade-loving plants prefer the blue-violet part of it, light-loving plants will benefit more from the red one. A lamp with a green spectrum is best suited to illuminate fish favorably.
4. The color temperature indicates how light will be perceived by the human eye. Temperature 5500 Kelvin – this is “white”, natural and familiar to us sunlight. However, for an aquarium, the optimal value is 7000-8000 Kelvin: at lower temperatures, underwater inhabitants look pale and sick, at higher temperatures they seem artificial.

Rating of the best lamps for the aquarium

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best phytolamps for an aquarium	1	Osram T8 Fluora	650 RUB
	2	Sylvania GRO-LUX	RUB 635
Best Marine Aquarium Lamps	1	JBL Solar ultra marin day	RUB 1,959
	2	T5 Hailea Exstra Reef	462 r
The best lamp to enhance fish color	1	JBL Solar ultra Natur LT 39WT5-HQ 9000K	RUB 1 804
	2	Hagen Flora Glo	779 r
The best full spectrum aquarium lamps	1	Dennerle Color Plus T5	RUB 2,226

The best phytolamps for an aquarium

This category contains lamps that provide optimal conditions for the growth and photosynthesis of aquatic flora. These are most often fluorescent fixtures with accents in some parts of the spectrum.

Osram T8 Fluora

Rating: 4.9

The winner of the rating was a luminescent phytolamp, which is in demand not only among aquarists, but also among lovers of indoor plants. I must say, this model is much more useful in an aquarium: it not only provides plants with comfortable lighting with accents on the red and blue regions of the spectrum, but also favorably illuminates the fish. Another useful nuance is that the device does not heat up during operation. The power spread depending on the lamp size is from 15 to 58 W. The service life declared by the manufacturer is 13000 hours, however, according to customer reviews, over time the lamp loses its specific properties and turns into a simple lamp.

Advantages

• durability;

• gives a rich color to fish;

• stimulates photosynthesis;

• economical energy consumption;

disadvantages

• not found;

Sylvania GRO-LUX

Rating: 4.8

Although it is recommended to use this lamp in conjunction with a fluorescent lamp, it can function on its own even in an herbal aquarium. The manufacturer offers a choice of models of various capacities with a diameter of T5 or T8, so it will not be difficult to choose the one suitable for a particular aquarium. The color temperature of the lamps is at the edge of the optimal range at 8500K, thanks to which they accentuate the natural colors in the aquarium. The enhanced red and blue regions of the spectrum have a beneficial effect on the growth of aquatic flora and the rate of photosynthesis.

Advantages

• a wide range of power options;

• emphasizes colors in the aquarium;

• stimulates photosynthesis;

disadvantages

• not always found in pet stores;

Best Marine Aquarium Lamps

Since this type of aquarium is usually very deep, the main requirement for lamps is the ability to effectively illuminate the entire water column to the very bottom. This is ensured by high power parameters.

JBL Solar ultra marin day

Rating: 4.9

As befits the leader of the rating, this model has a high value of light output – you do not have to worry that the bottom of your aquarium will be left without proper lighting. Among other advantages – a high color rendering index, low power consumption: 24-80 W depending on the length of the lamp. The color temperature of 15000K gives cold white light, while maintaining the fullness of the radiation spectrum. Corals and marine invertebrates grow especially well under these conditions. The manufacturer claims that under favorable conditions the lamp can last 8000-100000 hours.

Advantages

• cool light, optimal for marine life;

• long service life;

• high luminous efficiency;

disadvantages

• high price;

T5 Hailea Exstra Reef

Rating: 4.8

This model is ideal for those looking to set up a small coral reef in their aquarium. Fluorescent lamps from the Chinese manufacturer Hailea are rarely found in our stores, but they provide good quality for little money. In proportion to the size of the lamp, its power ranges from 8 to 80 watts. The spectrum is strongly shifted towards the blue-violet side, so the light from the lamp comes out in a pleasant, saturated blue color. This technical solution contributes to the favorable growth of corals, imitates the illumination of a deep-sea reef, and performs quite well an aesthetic function.

Advantages

• the best option for a marine aquarium;

• inexpensive;

• stimulates the growth of corals;

disadvantages

• difficult to find on sale;

The best lamp to enhance fish color

Thanks to a finely tuned balance of characteristics, these lamps highlight all the color characteristics of aquarium fish. The models featured in the rating will fill your aquarium with vibrant, natural colors.

JBL Solar ultra Natur LT 39WT5-HQ 9000K

Rating: 4.9

A model with unrivaled brightness, designed for fish and plants from warm and well-lit waters. This is an excellent 24-80W fluorescent lamp. It not only presents the inhabitants of the aquarium in a favorable light, but also creates optimal conditions for photosynthesis in plants thanks to its full spectrum of radiation. The 9000K color temperature suppresses algae growth and maintains vibrant, vibrant colors that do not appear artificial. The life of the lamp in optimal conditions is 8000 hours.

Advantages

• optimal light for tropical inhabitants;

• stops the reproduction of algae;

• bright light;

• the photosynthetically active spectrum is beneficial for plants;

disadvantages

• high price;

Hagen Flora Glo

Rating: 4.8

Fluorescent “FloraGlo” acts in the opposite way than its competitor: it gives a soft pink light with a warmth of 2800K. In such conditions, fish of blue and green colors, as well as plants for which special accents are made in the radiation spectrum, look most advantageous. As a result, the flora under the light of this lamp not only looks good, but also actively grows. At 40 W, the lamp produces light of medium brightness and intensity, therefore it is recommended to use it for illumination of the foreground of the aquarium, combining with another lamp of a different type. The service life of this product is 9000 hours.

Advantages

• stimulates plant growth;

• does not heat water during operation;

• affordability;

disadvantages

• recommended for use only in combination with other lamps;

The best full spectrum aquarium lamps

Lamps in this category do not have pronounced accents in any part of the spectrum and give the most natural light.

Dennerle Color Plus T5

Rating: 4.9

This lamp is able to highlight all the most beautiful in your aquarium: a special distribution of accents in the spectrum allows you to enhance the red, orange and blue colors in all their variety, thanks to which the natural color of fish begins to play with new shades, becomes brighter and more lively. The lamp does not emit ultraviolet light, thus depriving the light of the scourge of any aquarium – algae – but leaving normal plants all the spectrum favorable for photosynthesis. Trocal Longlife technology ensures lamp functionality for 10,000-15,000 hours. As is the case with most of the lamps presented in the rating, the power of this model can be selected from the range of 24-80 W.

Advantages

• durability;

• optimal spectrum for photosynthesis;

• counteracts the growth of algae;

• bright, saturated colors;

disadvantages

• high price;

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.