Aquarium plants are an essential part of any fish tank. They not only add beauty and color to the aquarium, but they also provide a natural habitat for fish, invertebrates, and other aquatic creatures. However, to keep aquarium plants healthy, you need to provide them with the right amount of light. In the past, hobbyists used the “watts per gallon” (WPG) rule to measure light intensity. However, this method is now considered outdated and inaccurate. In this blog post, we’ll explore why “watts per gallon” is an outdated way to measure for aquarium plants.
First, let’s take a closer look at the “watts per gallon” rule. The idea behind this rule is that you need to provide a certain amount of wattage per gallon of water in your aquarium to support plant growth. For example, a 10-gallon tank might require 1-2 watts per gallon, while a 50-gallon tank might require 2-3 watts per gallon.
While this rule may have been useful in the past, it’s now considered outdated for several reasons. First, it doesn’t take into account the type of light being used. Different types of lights, such as LED or fluorescent, have different intensities, even if they have the same wattage. Therefore, using watts per gallon as a measurement is misleading, as it assumes that all types of lights are created equal.
Second, the WPG rule doesn’t take into account the depth of the aquarium. As light penetrates water, it becomes less intense. Therefore, a deeper tank will require more light than a shallower one, even if they have the same volume. This means that using the WPG rule for a deeper tank will result in plants receiving less light than they need.
Finally, the WPG rule doesn’t account for the fact that different plants have different lighting requirements. Some plants need more light than others to thrive, and using a blanket rule like watts per gallon doesn’t consider these differences. For example, low-light plants like Java Fern or Anubias can survive on as little as 1 watt per gallon, while high-light plants like Red Ludwigia or Rotala require much more.
So, if the WPG rule is outdated, what method should you use to measure light for aquarium plants? The most accurate method is to use a PAR meter. PAR stands for Photosynthetically Active Radiation and measures the amount of light that is available for photosynthesis. A PAR meter can provide a more accurate reading of the light intensity in your aquarium, and you can use this information to adjust your lighting accordingly.
In conclusion, the “watts per gallon” rule is an outdated way to measure light for aquarium plants. It doesn’t take into account the type of light being used, the depth of the tank, or the lighting requirements of different plants. Instead, hobbyists should use a PAR meter to accurately measure light intensity and ensure that their aquarium plants are getting the light they need to thrive.
**AI Prompt write a blog post on why “watts per gallon” is an outdated way to measure light**
As an added treat, I asked the AI to create this table:
| LED Aquarium Light | PAR Range |
|---|---|
| Hygger 45W | 100-300 |
| Hygger 36W | 100-200 |
| Hygger 18W | 50-100 |
| Nicrew Classic | 20-60 |
| Nicrew SkyLED Plus | 80-100 |
| Nicrew SlimLED | 40-60 |
| Aqueon OptiBright Max | 100-140 |
| Aqueon OptiBright Plus | 45-80 |
| Aqueon Planted | 45-60 |
Note: PAR ratings can vary based on the size and depth of the aquarium and the specific placement of the light. These ratings are approximate and should be used as a general guide only.