Using The Seaoura SR616 To Grow A Thriving Planted Tank!

by Shaun Marrs

Seaoura was the first brand to truly offer an affordable, full-spectrum, and customizable aquarium light in the entry-level price range with the release of the Seaoura SR616.

The aquarium hobby quickly took notice, and since its launch, the light has earned over 4,300 reviews on Amazon with an impressive average rating of 4.5 stars.

However, very few of those reviews showcase the full potential of this light when used on a planted tank.

That’s why I, Shaun—owner of Glass Box Diaries—decided to publish this post to highlight the plants I'm growing with this light in my latest beginner-friendly planted setup.

And in case you're wondering, I'm currently running six of these lights in my fish room.

It's become my go-to recommendation for anyone new to the hobby who wants to get started with planted tanks.

How I Use The Seaoura SR616 To Grow Aquatic Plants

One of the best things about the Seaoura SR616 is how beginner-friendly it is.

Even if you're brand new to the hobby, you can get the most out of this light with just a quick 15-second setup right out of the box.

Personally, I run the light at full intensity for six hours a day, and if you're looking to grow easy-to-medium-demand plants, I highly recommend doing the same.

Here's how to set it up:

• Wait until the time you want the light to turn on each day. Then, press and hold the “W” button until the white LEDs reach full brightness.
• Next, press and hold the “B” button to bring the blue LEDs to full intensity as well.
• Once the light is at maximum brightness, press the “clock” button once.

This sets the timer so the light will turn on at that same time every day, stay on for six hours, and then automatically turn off—no further input needed.

Limnophila Sessiliflora

Limnophila Sessiliflora is one of my favorite plants in the hobby, thanks to its rapid growth rate that helps naturally purify aquarium water and keep fish healthy.

Dennerle recommends medium to high light intensity for optimal growth, while Tropica warns that the plant can become “leggy” under low-powered lighting.

Fortunately, the Seaoura SR616 handles it effortlessly.

Its light output is well above average for its price point, providing everything this plant needs for healthy growth.

I’m currently growing Limnophila Sessiliflora in three different tanks using this light, and it’s thriving in every single one.

Ludwigia Mini Super Red

Ludwigia Mini Super Red is a standout in the hobby, being one of the easiest red plants to grow while still maintaining its vibrant red coloration.

It’s produced by the AquaFlora plant nursery, which unfortunately doesn’t offer a public plant database we can use for reference.

However, Aquarium Gardens recommends moderate light intensity to help the plant develop its red tones.

As you can see in my photo above, the Seaoura SR616 is more than capable, not only growing this plant successfully but also bringing out its rich red hues.

It did take around three months for the red coloration to really develop, but the results speak for themselves.

That said, I’ve noticed the plant colors up more quickly and deeply in another tank under the slightly more expensive Seaoura SR657, likely due to its higher light intensity.

Still, it’s great to see that a budget-friendly option like the SR616 can achieve strong red coloration, especially when many other entry-level lights I’ve tested have struggled.

Helanthium Tenellum 'Green'

Next up is my favorite low-tech carpeting plant: Helanthium tenellum 'Green'.

Carpeting plants are often a challenge for newcomers to the hobby, especially since many beginners start with entry-level gear, and most budget lights lose too much intensity by the time they reach the substrate.

Tropica recommends good lighting to encourage proper carpeting, but once again, the Seaoura SR616 delivers.

I’m currently growing Helanthium tenellum 'Green' in two tanks with this light, and it’s thriving in both.

The plant is sending out runners and forming a dense, vibrant carpet, proving that even in a beginner setup, you can achieve great results with the right light.

Echinodorus Grisebachii 'Tropica'

Echinodorus grisebachii 'Tropica' is a relatively new addition to the hobby, only becoming widely available in the past year, so many aquarists still haven’t had the chance to try it in their own tanks.

It’s quickly become one of my personal favorite Echinodorus varieties, especially for smaller nano tanks, as it stays compact with a maximum height of around 10 cm (4 inches).

While some beginners may be hesitant due to Dennerle’s recommendation of medium to high light intensity for this plant, I’ve found it surprisingly easy to grow under the Seaoura SR616.

Once again, this affordable light proves that even newcomers to the hobby can successfully grow a wider range of plants—many of which are typically considered too demanding for entry-level setups.

Rotala Rotundifolia

Rotala rotundifolia is a very beginner-friendly plant that grows well even under low-powered lighting.

However, its appearance starts to change noticeably when exposed to higher light intensity.

As explained on Tropica’s plant profile, with good lighting, the tips of the stems begin to turn yellow and can eventually shift to red.

While I’ve never personally managed to get mine to turn fully red—no matter what light I’ve used—I have seen a consistent shift to yellow and orange tones under the Seaoura SR616.

You can even spot the orange hues developing at the stem tips near the top left of the photo.

The taller you allow your Rotala rotundifolia to grow, the closer it gets to the light source, increasing the PAR levels and intensifying those yellow-orange tones.

The Other Plants

The remaining plants in this aquarium—Bacopa Compact, Cryptocoryne albida 'Brown', Cryptocoryne nevillii, and Cryptocoryne crispatula—are not particularly demanding and generally grow well under most lighting conditions.

That said, they’re showing no signs of lighting deficiencies under the Seaoura SR616 in my tanks.

All of them are thriving, with vibrant green coloration that clearly indicates they’re happy and healthy under this light.

Final Thoughts

The Seaoura SR616 continues to impress me with just how much it offers at its price point.

It’s rare to find an affordable, full-spectrum aquarium light that delivers enough intensity to support a wide range of aquatic plants—including carpeting species and even some red plants—without the need for complicated setup or additional gear.

From fast-growing stems like Limnophila sessiliflora, to compact carpeting options like Helanthium tenellum 'Green', and even more light-demanding varieties like Echinodorus grisebachii 'Tropica', this light has handled everything I’ve thrown at it.

While it may not bring out the deepest reds like some higher-end models, it still outperforms many other lights in its class.

If you're just getting started with planted tanks and want a beginner-friendly, budget-conscious light that can grow a wide range of plants successfully, the Seaoura SR616 is a fantastic place to start.

It’s been my go-to recommendation for new aquarists, and after running six of them across my own fish room, I can confidently say it delivers reliable results.

Reference:

• Limnophila sessiliflora - https://dennerleplants.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Limnophilasessiliflora(30183)/23022
• Limnophila sessiliflora - https://tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Limnophilasessiliflora(047CLP)/30571
• Ludwigia Mini Super Red - https://www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/ludwigia-mini-super-red-3261-p.asp
• Helanthium tenellum 'Green' - https://tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Helanthiumtenellum'Green'(067ATC)/4757
• Echinodorus grisebachii 'Tropica' - https://dennerleplants.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Echinodorusgrisebachii'Tropica'(456)/27860
• Rotala rotundifolia - https://tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Rotalarotundifolia(033)/4447
  
• Photosynthetically Active Radiation - https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/photosynthetically-active-radiation