Can Aquarium Plants Grow In LED Light? [Best For 7 Reasons]

Nowadays people are using LED lighting for different purposes, especially for the decoration of their homes.

They don’t produce any heat and they consume less energy.

These lights are also environmentally friendly. These lights are very effective in the case of aquariums and ponds.

So, can aquarium plants grow in LED Light?

Yes, aquarium plants can grow in LED light. LED lights are a popular lighting option for aquariums as they provide energy-efficient and customizable lighting. However, it’s important to choose the appropriate LED light spectrum for the specific needs of the aquarium plants. Some plants may require a higher intensity of light or specific wavelengths to grow properly.

Can Aquarium Plants Grow In LED Light?

Yes, aquarium plants can grow in LED light.

These lights are not harmful to your plants.

They consume less energy than ordinary light bulbs.

These lights also emit no heat which is one of the most important factors in growing aquarium plants.

So, if you don’t have the opportunity to have a fish tank, you can still use aquarium plants in LED light.

If you think you can’t afford LED lights to decorate your home, you can use regular lights instead.

Why Do Plants Grow Well Under LED Lights

LED lights are one of the best inventions of human beings, where light is emitted in the form of visible light.

These lights can be used for many purposes like office lighting, decorative lighting, garden lighting, and home lighting.

There are two types of lights that are most commonly used in homes. They are fluorescent lights and LED lights. (Read LED Lights Vs Fluorescent light later in the article)

LED lights are also used as a source of illumination for aquariums as it provides enough brightness.

If you have a small aquarium, then you can install LED lights in the tank and enjoy watching the plant grow under the light.

Here are some of the reasons why your aquarium plants will grow well under LED lights:

LED Lights Are Energy Efficient

LED lights consume less energy compared to other lamps.

The reason for this is that LED lights use less power than traditional lamps.

This also means that you won’t need to spend a lot on electricity bills.

When you install these lights in your aquarium, you will find that you can enjoy watching your aquarium plants grow without worrying about electricity bills.

LED Light Produces Less Heat

When traditional lights are turned on, they produce heat which could be harmful to your fish.

However, LED lights don’t produce heat at all.

This makes it possible for you to keep your aquarium without worrying about the heat.

LED Lights Are More Affordable

You don’t need to worry about buying expensive fixtures and bulbs with LED lights.

Because they are cheaper than fluorescent lights, you will be able to buy them easily.

You will also be able to save money on your electricity bills. LED lights are available in various sizes and shapes.

You will find one that best suits your needs.

LED Lights Are Longer Lasting

LED lights last longer than other types of lights.

This means that you will not have to replace the lamp frequently.

You just need to replace the bulb or fixture.

The longevity of LED lights is much higher than that of fluorescent lights.

So, you can enjoy watching your aquarium plants grow for a long time.

LED Lights Save Money

You do not have to spend a lot of money on electricity bills if you use LED lights instead of fluorescent ones.

With LED lights, you save a lot on your electric bill.

You will also avoid using an inverter and batteries to convert the DC current into an AC current.

Your inverter and batteries will be of no use when you use LED lights.

They will run for long periods without any charging.

So, you do not have to worry about the cost of electricity anymore.

5 Effective Tips To Grow Aquarium Plants In LED Lights

I think growing plants is one of the easiest hobbies for everyone. Even a small child can learn this hobby and can easily grow plants in their house. It will not only enhance the aesthetic value of your home but also it will provide oxygen for the entire family.

I have given a list of the 5 most effective tips for growing plants in LED lights.

If you are a newbie in this hobby then I will recommend you read the below points before starting your aquarium.

Choose The Right Type Of Aquarium

Before starting your aquarium, you should first know what type of plants will suit you best in your aquarium.

You need to check whether the plants require warm or cold conditions.

If your plants prefer cool temperatures then you must choose a tropical aquarium.

Tropical aquariums require minimum maintenance.

But if you want to have a small fish tank at home then you can choose a freshwater aquarium.

Some plants require a specific light source while some other plants are good with any type of lighting.

You should be aware of all these before buying a plant.

Choose The Right LED Light For the Aquarium

The most important part of any aquarium is the lights.

They help in the survival of your fish and plants. You must buy the right aquarium lights for your aquarium.

You must know the basic differences between fluorescent lights and LED lights.

Fluorescent lights are energy inefficient and you have to change them frequently.

LED lights are more efficient than fluorescent lights and consume less power.

Check The Water Quality

Your fish should have good water quality and the filter should be clean.

If you are using a filter, you can add some form of live rock.

Make sure that your tank does not overflow as it might damage the aquarium and the fish.

A big aquarium will take up a lot of space.

Ensure that there are enough places for your fish to hide.

You should also make sure that there are enough hiding places for your fish.

The plants in your aquarium are very important.

They provide food for the fish and give your tank the right color. You must choose the right type of plants for your aquarium.

Check The Substrate

The substrate in your tank is very important.

Make sure that it is clean and free from debris.

If you want your tank to have a nice look, you should make sure that your substrate has some gravel mixed into it.

The substrate should not be too hard, or it will harm the fish.

Check The Light Intensity

Good light intensity will be needed to keep your fish healthy.

You should check this once a month, and adjust the intensity as necessary.

Also, check the color of the light regularly.

Do not use a light that is too bright.

This could cause your fish to develop a sunburn.

If you need more information on lighting, you can refer to our Lighting Guide.

5 Aquarium Plants That Can Be Grown In LED Lights

The aquarium is the best place to keep different types of aquatic life. There are thousands of plants that can be grown in the aquarium. The most commonly used plants are the ones that are easy to grow in the aquarium. But, if you don’t want to keep the aquarium as a display item then you can choose any of the aquarium plants that will be suitable for the aquarium.

Now, I am going to share with you some of the best aquarium plants that grow in led light.

So, follow the below-mentioned list of aquarium plants and you will see the difference in your aquarium.

Java Fern

Java fern is one of the most common aquarium plants that is used in aquariums.

It is a very attractive and colorful plant that you can use in your aquarium.

This plant has the ability to absorb large amounts of light.

Hence, it needs a minimum amount of light. It is possible to get a good variety of plants from java fern.

They grow in a very short period of time. It takes less than four months to get the first sprouts from the Java fern.

Ficus

Ficus is one of the most useful plants for aquariums.

The ficus plant is very effective in absorbing the light from the surrounding aquarium.

It is also known as the fig tree plant. This is one of the best aquarium plants because of its ease of growing and its fast growth rate.

This plant grows quickly. Its leaves are dark green and its flowers are white.

This plant is easy to care for. It doesn’t require much water.

In fact, the ficus plant needs less water than other plants.

Hence, it is a good choice for beginners to start with when they are creating an aquarium.

It requires low maintenance and does not produce many leaves.

Moss

Moss is a simple and easy-to-grow plant. It is used to cover rocks and to make decorations for aquariums.

Moss provides a natural look for the aquarium.

Moss is not toxic. It absorbs excess nutrients and oxygen from the water.

This is why it makes an ideal choice for aquariums. It is also easy to grow and maintain.

It produces large leaves.

The leaves stay in place until they die off naturally.

These leaves then decompose and release the nutrients back into the water.

This helps to make the water cleaner. Moss is also easy to remove from aquariums.

This means that it is suitable for smaller tanks. This is because moss is relatively small and does not grow very big.

Dwarf Water Lilly

Dwarf Water Lilly is an aquatic plant which grows in ponds and watercourses.

Its name comes from the fact that its leaves look like lilies.

This plant can grow up to one metre tall.

The plant is found in Europe, Africa, Asia and America.

It likes water with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0. Its leaves are thick and round.

Their colour changes from green to red to brown when the plants mature.

It has been known to grow in many places around the world.

There are many different types of dwarf water lilies.

Most of them do not tolerate freezing temperatures. This means that they will die off if they are frozen.

Rubber Plant

If you live in a place where there is a lot of rain, you may want to try planting rubber plants.

This plant is very easy to care for. You can simply keep it in water until it starts growing.

It grows in a wide range of soil, but it does not tolerate drought conditions.

It is known to grow in a variety of climates and locations.

It is available in many stores. It is a decorative plant and one that looks nice in the garden.

LED Lights Vs Fluorescent Lights For Aquarium Plants

There are two types of light sources available in the market, these are LED and fluorescent. Both the lights are used for plant growth in aquariums.

So, let’s have a look at the difference between LED and fluorescent.

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent lights are the oldest form of light.

They are known for their energy efficiency and they produce a great amount of light.

These lights are very good for plants that are exposed to strong light for a longer duration.

However, fluorescent lights are expensive and they consume more power than other lights.

LED Lights

LED lights are the latest type of light.

It is known for its high energy efficiency and it produces a lesser amount of heat.

These lights can be used for a longer period of time and they are also very cost-effective.

LED lights are the best choice for growing plants that are exposed to sunlight for a shorter period of time.

LED lights are safe for the aquarium and for the fish, unlike fluorescent lights.

Are LED Lights For Aquarium Plants Good?

LED lights are good for aquariums that have plants that need to be exposed to direct sunlight for only a few hours a day.

These lights produce less heat and consume less power than fluorescent lights.

Are LED lights for aquariums good?

Absolutely. They are the best type of light for aquariums.

They last longer, consume less energy, are safer for the aquarium, and are cost-effective.

FAQs

Can aquarium plants grow with regular LED lights?

Yes. However, the intensity of light should be lowered when it comes to aquarium plants because they need less intense light to grow. Therefore, these lights will not harm them. However, if you use a higher intensity of light, you can damage your aquarium plants.

Will aquarium plants grow under blue LED lights?

Blue LED lights are safe for aquarium plants. The plants will absorb the blue light which will help their photosynthesis process.

Read more: Is Blue Light Good For Aquarium Plants?

Do aquarium plants need a special light?

Yes. You need a specific light for aquarium plants. It is necessary that you have white light with a wavelength of 500nm and lower. You can also add a greenish light to the aquarium plants to increase their growth rate.

How many hours of light do aquarium plants need?

This depends on the type of plant. Usually, it is recommended to set your plant in 10 to 12 hours of light per day.

Conclusion

In summary, LED lights for aquarium plants are very popular.

They are not only easy to install and maintain, but they can provide your aquarium with an attractive light.

They will give your aquarium a much more natural appearance.

If you don’t have a light for your aquarium, you can purchase one online.

Most of the lights available online are adjustable, which is great.

So, let us know do you use LED light for your aquarium plants. What benefits you are getting?

Tell us in the comment section.

Related article:

Lighting Requirements for Plants in Community Aquariums

White or Blue Light For the Aquarium? Best For Fishes and Plants?

How To Reduce Light Intensity In Aquarium?

13 Signs Of Too Much Light On Aquarium Plants?

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