Aquarium tools
Measurements, calculations and guides to help you understand your aquarium. Start with the lighting calculator or choose one of the reading routes below.
DLI calculator
Enter measured peak PPFD and the duration of sunrise, peak and sunset to estimate the daily light integral. The calculation assumes linear ramps between zero and peak intensity, with constant intensity during the peak period. The result depends on the measurements entered and does not determine the needs of aquarium organisms on its own.
Calculate your daily light dose
Enter the PPFD measured at your chosen location and the duration of each phase. The calculation assumes a linear sunrise from zero to the peak and a linear sunset from the peak to zero.
Prefilled example: PPFD 100, sunrise 2 hours, peak 6 hours, sunset 2 hours. Result: 2.88 mol m⁻² d⁻¹.
Mathematical result
- Daily light integral
- mol m⁻² d⁻¹
- Equivalent hours at peak
- hours
- Total programme duration
- hours
Method and units
Equivalent hours = peak hours + (sunrise hours + sunset hours) ÷ 2. DLI = peak PPFD × equivalent hours × 3,600 ÷ 1,000,000.
This result applies to the stated linear profile at one location in the tank, under artificial light with no additional light sources. It does not measure the spectrum, set an optimal dose or assess safety for corals or plants. Other curves or daylight require measurements integrated over time.
Three reading routes
Exploring a marine aquarium setup
Understanding a freshwater aquarium’s biological start
Reading measurements in context
A PDF guide to cyanobacteria
The BEA cyanobacteria guide, a PDF in Italian is a resource on a specific topic. Read it in context: it is not a universal protocol and does not replace an assessment of the individual aquarium’s conditions.