Is Blue Light Good for Aquarium Plants?

An aquarium light does more than serve as a mode of illumination in the tank. The use of correct lighting in the tank influences the quality of the fish species in the tank. Unfortunately, many beginner aquarists overlook the importance of including a visible light spectrum in the tank.

Every aspect contributing to the water parameters and the tank decoration makes a major impact on the fish and plants growing in the tank. However, why should you care about the color of the light you introduce in your aquarium?

Being mindful of the bulb temperature prioritizes the dimness or intensity of the light. However, choosing the correct light spectrum reflects the propagation and growth of the different species in the tank.

Now, coming to the question – ‘Is blue light good for aquarium plants?’ This article will answer everything in detail for you.

What Color Light Is Best for Aquarium Plants?

We often forego the requirements of the aquarium plants, thinking they will grow independently. While that is true, every aquarium plant needs optimal growth conditions, including the light spectrum.

While red and blue lightings are crucial, an aquarium needs green, orange, and yellow spectrums for balanced growth.

Aquarium plants have the tenacity to absorb red and blue lights in the visible light spectrum compared to the other options.

If you install a full-spectrum white light in your aquarium, ensure that your aquarium plants will only utilize the light they absorb. The fish species absorb the remainder of the reflected light in the tank.

So, the next time that you buy lights for your aquarium move past the white bulbs and instead opt for the RGB LED bulbs. They come with remote-controlled settings that allow the aquarists to switch the light depending on the installed aquarium plants in the tank.

Is Blue Light Good for Aquarium?

Blue lights are very prevalent in terrariums, especially for aquarium plants. However, several beginner aquarists are confused about its impacts on the fish in the tank.

To clear your doubts, blue light is safe and ideal for aquarium fish. They retain the necessary warmth in the tank and add to the aquarium’s appearance. Also, if you have hyperactive fish species, blue aquarium lights help calm them down.

As for the aquarium plants, most of the blue light or moonlight bulbs exude enough light to support the plants’ growth in the tank.

However, the biggest issue with blue light in aquariums is promoting algal growth. So, we’d recommend not keeping it switched on during the night. This restricts excessive algae growth in the tank.

What Does Blue Light Do In An Aquarium?

The use of blue light in an aquarium is not a new concept. However, the main reason why blue light is necessary for aquarium plants is because it mimics the moonlight.

Integrating ambient blue light in the tank encourages the interaction and physical activity of the varying fish species in the tank.

Also, uniquely enough, the blue light doesn’t disturb the day-night cycle in the tank. This means that the nocturnal fish have complete comfort in coming out during the night for their feed.

The blue light simultaneously does two jobs – improve the health of the aquarium plants and regulate the eating and sleeping cycles of the fish.

Amidst the available lights in the white spectrum light, the blue spectrum supports freshwater and marine reef requirements. Having a calm and peaceful light setting in the aquarium also prevents the skittish fish species to not getting out of control and staying within the permissible range of activity.

This prevents risks of damage to the aquatic plants growing in the tank. Also, if you have a temperature-sensitive community tank, the blue light prevents unwanted increases in the water temperature.

Do Aquarium Plants Need Special Lights?

Like your fish species in the tank, even the live aquarium plants need close attention.

Most common aquarium plants, including ferns and mosses, grow the best under full-spectrum light. It is also associated with a Kelvin rating between 6,500K and 8,000K.

Also, when choosing lights for your aquarium plants, we’d recommend avoiding fluorescent or compact fluorescent lights. Instead, the LED lights work the best for these tanks.

If you are getting fluorescent lights, opt for the T5 variants, which are more powerful and support aquarium plant growth.

Is Blue Light Good for Aquarium Pants?

If you are using LED light fixtures for your aquarium, the blue lights are traditionally the best choice in the lot.

Most aquarium plants use Actinic Blue from the available light spectrum to promote their vegetative growth. So, if you want your aquarium plant to grow bushy with lots of leaves and foliage, blue light can be a good inclusion.

Also, installing blue lights doesn’t hamper the fish’s health, so you aren’t contributing to any complications in the tank’s ecosystem.

Can Fish Sleep in Blue Light?

Although blue lights might not impose many issues for the nocturnal fish in the tank, they aren’t ideal for the standard cycle fish species. Your fish won’t feel comfortable sleeping with the blue light switched on.

Even if you have the blue light switched on throughout the day, avoid doing the same at night. Keeping the light switched on will disturb the sleeping cycle of the fish and leave the fish stressed.

Are LED Lights Better in Aquariums?

The evolvement in technology allows maximum use of LED lights in the aquarium without any complications. Although they are cheaper and energy-efficient, LED lights also tend to meet the requirements in the light-demanding aquarium setups.

Fluorescent lights have been around for years now, but people are gradually shifting their needs.

Here are a few quick reasons why LED lights are a better choice for aquariums:

Doesn’t generate heat – LED lights produce little to no heat in the tank. All you need to ensure is to install correct air circulation around the lights to dissipate any generated heat.

Energy-efficient – LED lights are more durable; they are energy-efficient too. You also won’t have to worry about changing them every other month.

Light spectrum – LEDs are available in varying light spectrums, including white, red, blue, and green. The variation allows the aquarists to adjust them according to the tank’s needs.

Adjustable features – As we just mentioned, LED lights to come with adjustable controls. So aquarists can change them depending on the needs of the fish and the plants in the tank.

Optimal coverage – Despite their compact size, LED lights offer optimal coverage for the entire aquarium. So, installing one strip is often enough.

Can You Use Grow Lights for Aquarium Plants?

If the grow light fixtures are LED lights or T5 fluorescent bulbs, they can be used in the aquarium. Just ensure that you don’t overdo it.

Unlike grow rooms that require a high intensity of the grow lights to mimic the functions of the sunlight, the same isn’t the case with aquarium lights.

With aquarium lights, you want to offer illumination and enough light spectrum to absorb and promote the growth of the fish and the plants. Hence, moderation is key when using grow lights for aquarium plants.

White Or Blue – Which One Is Good for The Aquarium?

Choices are always better. However, full-spectrum white bulbs are the most common choice when it comes to aquariums. They do the work of illumination and support the growth of the fish. However, white lights aren’t optimal for plant growth.

Blue light bulbs promote aquarium plant growth. They are also compatible with the fish species, preventing them from harming them.

The moonlight bulbs or the blue light bulbs are perfect for the skittish fish species and keep them calm during the night.

If we had to pick, we’d recommend blue lights over white lights. They support plant and fish growth and health simultaneously.

Also, blue lights are easy to access; they are durable and, not to mention, easy on the pocket too. Since you won’t have to change them frequently, you can use them for months without any worry.

Besides that, blue aquarium lights are quite easy to install, which further adds to the benefits of buying them for your aquarium.

Conclusion

Choosing the correct light fixture for your aquarium can make a lot of difference. The use of blue aquarium lights is gaining prominence for the right reasons. If you are looking for a versatile light set up for the plants and the fish in the tank, this is your ideal choice.

We hope this article provides you with a detailed outlook on the situation and helps you make an informed decision about the right light fixture for your tank set-up.