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Choosing Skylight lighting for a terrarium / paludarium
Which Skylight lamp should you choose for a terrarium, paludarium or vivarium?
A guide to choosing lighting for a planted enclosure
Every day, in messages and specialist groups, we see the question: “Which lamp will be suitable for my enclosure?” Choosing terrarium lighting should not be based only on the rule: “my enclosure is 60 cm long, so I need a 60 cm lamp”. In practice, several factors matter: the width and height of the enclosure, the number and species of plants, the type of top or cover, the budget, and whether you need simple illumination or full light control from an app.
The range of one of the leading LED lighting manufacturers - Skylight - includes both simple, affordable lamps for small and medium enclosures and powerful, advanced models with brightness, colour temperature and lighting schedule control. Thanks to this broad range, you can choose suitable lighting for anything from a small planted terrarium to a large display paludarium.
Skylight Tiny 2
a basic, neutral lamp for small and medium enclosures
Skylight Tiny 2 is the simplest option for small and medium enclosures. It is a good choice if you want to illuminate a small planted terrarium effectively but do not need app control, colour temperature adjustment or advanced settings.
The Tiny 2 is available in two versions:
- Tiny 2H - for horizontal enclosures where a wide light spread is important.
- Tiny 2V - for taller enclosures where a more focused light beam is required.
Tiny 2 produces neutral, natural and visually calm light while still offering very good parameters for plants. It does not strongly boost colours, so it works well where you want clean, straightforward illumination without a pronounced contrast or colour-enhancing effect.
Tiny 2 does not offer brightness or colour temperature adjustment. It is a simple “plug and use” solution.
The model is available in sets of 1-4 lamps, so one kit can illuminate a slightly larger enclosure or several separate setups placed next to each other.
Who is it for? For people with a small or medium enclosure who do not need app-based control. It is an excellent choice for small planted terrariums, enclosures for young animals, propagation setups and simple arrangements.
| Model | Design | Power (1 lamp) | Luminous flux |
| Tiny 2H | LED module for horizontal enclosures | 6 W | approx. 820 lm |
| Tiny 2V | LED module for vertical enclosures | 6 W | approx. 820 lm |
Skylight MID 2
a simple model with stronger colour saturation
Skylight MID 2 is a step up from Tiny 2. It is still a lamp without app-based adjustment, but the character of the light it produces is slightly different. Thanks to a different LED configuration, MID 2 makes colours in the enclosure appear more saturated than under the more neutral Tiny 2.
Skylight MID 2 subtly enhances colour intensity in the terrarium. Plant greens, leaf tones, background elements and layout details can appear richer and more pronounced.
Like Tiny 2, MID 2 is available in two versions:
- MID 2H - for horizontal enclosures where even illumination of a larger surface is important.
- MID 2V - for vertical enclosures where the light needs to reach farther down into the arrangement.
MID 2 does not offer brightness or colour temperature adjustment. It remains a simple lamp without an app, but provides a somewhat different visual effect than Tiny 2.
The model is available in sets of 1-4 lamps, so one kit can illuminate a slightly larger enclosure or several separate setups placed next to each other.
Who is it for? For people with a small or medium planted enclosure who want simple lighting without an app but prefer stronger colour saturation. MID 2 is a good choice when you want the colours of animals and plants to stand out a little more than under the neutral light of Tiny 2.
| Model | Design | Power | Luminous flux |
| MID 2H | LED module for horizontal enclosures | 9.6 W | approx. 850 lm |
| MID 2V | LED module for vertical enclosures | 9.6 W | approx. 850 lm |
Skylight MIDspot
a specialist solution for very tall enclosures
Skylight MIDspot is a specialist model. It is not a lamp designed for every application. Its purpose is to provide strong illumination in tall, vertical planted terrariums, especially where a conventional wide-beam lamp cannot deliver enough light to the lower parts of the enclosure.
MIDspot is available in two versions:
- MIDspot V55 - for tall enclosures around 90-120 cm high. Its wider beam works well in tall but still relatively conventional vertical terrariums.
- MIDspot V25 - for very tall enclosures, usually from around 120 cm upward. Its narrower, more focused beam penetrates deeper into tall arrangements.
In practice, MIDspot is worth considering for enclosures around 90-150 cm high, depending on the version, enclosure width and plant layout. Very wide arrangements may require several lamps.
MIDspot does not use an app. It operates at a fixed colour and power level and, if necessary, can be controlled by an external timer.
Who is it for? For people who need good illumination at the bottom of tall and very tall arrangements. It is not the first choice for a low 45x45x45 cm terrarium. It is designed for situations where light has to reach much deeper into the lower parts of a tall enclosure.
Warning! Avoid placing leaves very close to the light emitted by MIDspot - its high intensity may damage plant tissue.
| Model | Design | Power | Luminous flux |
| MIDspot V55 | spotlight module, 55° beam | 14 W | approx. 1400 lm |
| MIDspot V25 | spotlight module, 25° beam | 14 W | approx. 1400 lm |
Skylight PR2.Q
the most versatile bar light controlled from your phone
Skylight PR2.Q is the most versatile series for most planted terrariums and paludariums. It is a very good choice if you want high-quality light, a wide range of lengths and convenient adjustment through a mobile app.
PR2.Q lets you adjust both brightness and colour temperature. This allows you to tailor the appearance of the enclosure to your preferences - from warmer, calmer light to cooler, brighter display settings. The app also allows you to set a daily schedule, including sunrise and sunset simulation, moonlight and changes in light intensity throughout the day.
This model works best in enclosures up to around 70-80 cm high. It can still perform well in taller setups, but for densely planted, deep or very tall enclosures it is worth considering more powerful models such as Hyperbar T, PRI-55 or the specialist MIDspot.
Skylight PR2.Q variants
| Model | Length | Power | Luminous flux |
| PR2.Q XS.15 | 15 cm | 8 W | 805 lm |
| PR2.Q S.30 | 30 cm | 16 W | 1610 lm |
| PR2.Q M.45 | 45 cm | 24 W | 2415 lm |
| PR2.Q L.60 | 60 cm | 32 W | 3220 lm |
| PR2.Q XL.75 | 75 cm | 40 W | 4025 lm |
| PR2.Q 2XL.90 | 90 cm | 48 W | 4830 lm |
| PR2.Q 3XL.120 | 120 cm | 64 W | 6440 lm |
Two mounting versions: NH and AH
Skylight PR2.Q is available with two mounting options:
- NH - version without a holder, resting on rubber feet. It can be placed directly on the glass top of the enclosure. This is a good option for terrariums and paludariums with a full glass top or another stable surface for the lamp.
- AH - version with an adjustable holder. This is an excellent choice for mesh-top enclosures from popular manufacturers such as Exo Terra, Repti Planet, Zoo Med and similar brands. The adjustable holder positions the lamp above the enclosure instead of placing it directly on the mesh.
Who is it for? For most terrarium keepers. PR2.Q is a safe and versatile choice for small, medium and large enclosures, especially when adjustment, aesthetics, strong light and a good visual effect are important. It is the easiest series to match to popular terrarium and paludarium sizes.
Skylight Hyperbar T
a more powerful bar light for taller enclosures
Skylight Hyperbar T is a more powerful LED bar light with app control. Compared with PR2.Q, it offers higher output, so it is usually better suited to somewhat taller or more light-demanding enclosures.
If PR2.Q is the most versatile choice for enclosures up to around 80 cm high, Hyperbar T is a good option for enclosures up to around 100 cm, especially when the arrangement is densely planted or has a more complex background.
Hyperbar T allows brightness and colour temperature adjustment through the app, just like PR2.Q. This lets you tune the light both for plant growth and for the desired visual effect.
Skylight Hyperbar T variants
| Model | Length | Power | Luminous flux |
| Hyperbar T XS.15 | 15 cm | 16 W | 1350 lm |
| Hyperbar T S.30 | 30 cm | 32 W | 2700 lm |
| Hyperbar T M.45 | 45 cm | 48 W | 4050 lm |
| Hyperbar T L.60 | 60 cm | 64 W | 5400 lm |
| Hyperbar T XL.75 | 75 cm | 80 W | 6750 lm |
Who is it for? For people with a taller, more demanding or more densely planted enclosure who need more light than the PR2.Q series provides. Hyperbar T is a good choice for larger paludariums, tall planted terrariums and arrangements where light needs to reach the bottom more effectively.
Skylight PRI-55
a powerful lamp in a compact, square housing
Skylight PRI-55 uses a different design from the classic PR2.Q and Hyperbar T bar lights. Instead of a long LED bar, it is built around a compact square housing. This concentrates high output in a relatively small form and allows the lamp to perform well over deeper enclosures too.
PRI-55 has a power of 64 W and a luminous flux of around 5400 lm. Like the MID 2 models, it subtly enhances colours, producing high colour saturation. Plants, backgrounds and layout details can look more intense and more contrast-rich under this lamp.
It is a good option where high output is required but a long bar light is not necessarily desirable. Its square form works particularly well when you want to strongly illuminate the central part of an arrangement, a deeper plant layout or a display vivarium.
PRI-55 specifications
| Model | Design | Power | Luminous flux |
| PRI-55 | compact, square housing | 64 W | 5400 lm |
Like the two models above, PRI-55 is controlled through an app - brightness, colour temperature and the lighting schedule can all be adjusted.
Who is it for? For enthusiasts of advanced arrangements, display planted terrariums and paludariums, and enclosures where lighting is intended to be one of the key elements of the entire project. PRI-55 is particularly suitable when you need high output in a compact housing and strong colour saturation.
Which model should you choose?
If you have a limited budget and a small or medium enclosure, choose Tiny 2. It is the simplest, neutral and reasonably priced lamp for basic plant lighting.
If you want a simple lamp without an app but prefer more vivid colours, choose MID 2. It is a good choice for planted enclosures that should look more contrast-rich and visually striking than under the neutral light of Tiny 2.
If you have a very tall terrarium and need strong light near the bottom, choose MIDspot. The V55 version usually works well for enclosures around 90-120 cm high, while V25 is intended for enclosures from around 120 cm upward.
If you want the most versatile bar light with the ability to tailor the light to your preferences, choose PR2.Q. It is the easiest model to match to most common terrarium and paludarium sizes.
If you have a taller or more densely planted enclosure, choose Hyperbar T. It is a more powerful bar light designed for arrangements around 1 metre high.
If you are building a display vivarium or a deeper enclosure and want high output in a compact housing, choose PRI-55.
Quick comparison table
| Model | App control | Light character | Typical enclosure height | Best use |
| Tiny 2 | No | neutral, calm | up to approx. 70-80 cm, depending on version and set | simple, budget-friendly plant lighting |
| MID 2 | No | more saturated colours, higher contrast | up to approx. 70-80 cm, depending on version and set | planted enclosures with a more vivid visual effect |
| MIDspot V55 | No | focused light for tall enclosures | approx. 90-120 cm | tall vertical terrariums |
| MIDspot V25 | No | very focused light for very tall enclosures | from approx. 120 cm upward | very tall enclosures, deep arrangements |
| PR2.Q | Yes | adjustable brightness and colour | up to approx. 70-80 cm | the most versatile series for most enclosures |
| Hyperbar T | Yes | more powerful adjustable bar light | up to approx. 100 cm | taller, densely planted terrariums and paludariums |
| PRI-55 | Yes | powerful light, high colour saturation | up to approx. 80 cm; deeper and demanding enclosures | display vivariums, powerful light in a compact housing |
Remember if your project is close to the maximum recommended size for a given lamp, it is worth considering a slightly more powerful model. With app-controlled models, you can always reduce output to match your needs without risking underexposed parts of the arrangement.
Summary
There is no single best Skylight lamp for every enclosure. Different models are designed for different needs.
- Tiny 2 is a simple, neutral and budget-friendly lamp for small and medium enclosures.
- MID 2 is still a simple model without an app, but offers stronger colour saturation.
- MIDspot is designed for tall enclosures where conventional lighting does not reach deep enough.
- PR2.Q is the most versatile app-controlled bar light for most terrariums and paludariums.
- Hyperbar T is a more powerful bar light for taller and more demanding arrangements.
- PRI-55 is a powerful lamp in a compact square housing, well suited to deeper and display enclosures.
We hope this guide helps you choose the right Skylight lighting model for your enclosure.
Aquariums