Thanks to the innovative LED technology, the energy usage is significantly lower than with traditional light sources, using only 14 W. This is half the consumption of T5 (39 W) and T8 (30 W) fluorescent lights.
Key benefits of the Leddy Tube 2.0 include long lifespan, no water heating in the aquarium, and straightforward installation within tank covers.
Modern LEDs vs. traditional fluorescent lamps, incandescent bulbs, and compact fluorescent lights
Carefully chosen LEDs serve as the primary light source in contemporary aquaristics. They have effectively replaced older fluorescent lamps, incandescent bulbs, and compact fluorescent lights in the market. Compared to these alternatives, they offer numerous advantages. They enable a significant reduction in power usage, as they provide the same amount of light as fluorescent lamps while consuming up to half the energy. This results in lower electricity bills, benefiting the aquarist's wallet and the environment. Additionally, they have a longer lifespan, lasting up to 15,000 hours, which leads to substantial savings, environmental benefits, and reduced maintenance. Furthermore, they do not excessively heat the aquarium water, and they direct light only towards the water surface (meaning no need for extra reflectors). Unlike traditional fluorescent lamps, they also come with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Why do we illuminate the aquarium?
There are typically two reasons for aquarium lighting. Firstly, it enhances the tank's aesthetics, making it appear natural. The light helps fish and plants display their vibrant, appropriate colors, turning the aquarium into a stunning room decoration. Secondly, and equally crucial, most aquarists aim to maintain healthy, thriving plants within the aquarium. Plants require light for 10-12 hours daily to fuel photosynthesis - a natural process that transforms inorganic materials into the organic substances they need to survive. Therefore, the right light is essential to ensure the aquarium is visually appealing and that the plants flourish.
The LEDs used in the LEDDY TUBE SUNNY module emit light at a color temperature of 7000 K. This creates optimal conditions for aquatic plants and ensures accurate color representation of all aquarium inhabitants.
How much light does an aquarium need?
The required light level depends on the types of plants intended for growth in the aquarium. They can be categorized into three groups based on their light needs:
Group I – shade-tolerant species, such as “pelia”, mosses, winged microzorium, screw diver, certain compact varieties (e.g., aponogetonolist, Wendt’s compact, Backett’s warbler, Malayan warbler), anubias.
Group II – moderately light-loving species, including spherical twig, water tintland, rhododendrons, tiger lotus, ludwigie, broad-leaved vodka, three-flowered vodka, monkfish, broad-leaved arrowhead, Argentine marsh, giant diver, compact, limnophils, small-leaved bacopa, Thai krina, ponikło, Japanese gloss, swordfish.
Group III – definitely light-loving species, such as cabombs, “glossostigma”, hemiantus.
Typically, the lighting power is measured per liter of aquarium water. It is generally accepted that for LED lamps, shade plants require a minimum of 0.15-0.2 W per liter. Moderately demanding plants need 0.25-0.4 W/l, while definitely light-loving plants require as much as 0.5-0.7 W/l.
The “day” in an aquarium can occur at virtually any time. If the tank is positioned far from windows and relies solely on artificial lighting, the on and off times for the lights can be quite flexible. Ideally, they should be set according to personal preferences and the hours when occupants are typically home (e.g., “dawn” at 3 PM and “dusk” at 1 AM). This way, you can enjoy the beauty of your own little “piece of the underwater world” whenever you like.