Aquarium Lighting Calculator
Calculate PAR, Lux & total lumens for your tank – based on real dimensions, reflector quality and light type.
PAR zones (at substrate):
- Low light: ≤ 30 PAR – epiphytes, mosses, shade plants
- Medium light: 30–50 PAR – most stem plants
- High light: > 50 PAR – carpeting plants & demanding species
FAQ
What is a good PAR for planted aquariums?
Most planted tanks do well around 30–50 PAR at substrate. Carpeting plants often prefer higher PAR, while low-light plants can thrive below that range.
Why can two LED lights with the same watts produce different PAR?
Because optics, spectrum, mounting height, and spread strongly influence how efficiently light reaches the substrate. Watts alone don’t describe usable light.
Is watts per liter still useful?
Only as a rough reference. PAR at substrate is more reliable because it reflects tank depth and real-world light distribution.