Lighting for a tank

sunley213

Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 30, 2013
273
1
18
UK, Cheshire
I was wondering what the pros and cons are LEDs vs Light stripes.

For the 6ft tank i'm looking at i was quoted £118 for T8 lighting or £328 for LEDs.

I'm not looking for a planted tank just wondered if the LEDs are worth it.
 

Ian21777

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 16, 2012
860
3
18
England
LEDs look better imo. Nice shimmer effect and the bonus of cheaper to run. You dont need to spend that much to get half decent LEDs though. Providing you dont want all the special effects and different colours there are much cheaper options out there

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Ian21777

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 16, 2012
860
3
18
England
Also what fish are you keeping? Some prefer a more subdued illumination. I have 2 18" led tubes on my 6foot and it works fine for me. Admittedly I paid around 150 for mine cus they change colours and come on at certain times but I could easily get 2 18 inch white and 2 18inch blue for the same effect (I dont really use all the pretty colours lol) for a bit cheaper. Timer switches are cheap enough too so thats easy enough.

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sunley213

Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 30, 2013
273
1
18
UK, Cheshire
I was going to go for a pair of Jaguar cichlids. I thought the LED were over priced myself. Arcadia Tropical 1147mm three stripes they said i would need.
 

Ian21777

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 16, 2012
860
3
18
England
I was going to go for a pair of Jaguar cichlids. I thought the LED were over priced myself. Arcadia Tropical 1147mm three stripes they said i would need.
The only reason you "need" 3 strips is to fill their pockets lol. Like I said it all depends on the look you want.

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virgil2090

Polypterus
MFK Member
Aug 29, 2011
1,794
120
96
NJ
I agree, the look is your choice.I have all my tanks with led lights,I put 36 inch strip on 48 inch tanks.I like how the sides are dimmer than the middle.

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khangle

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 1, 2015
16
11
3
United States
I agree, the look is your choice.I have all my tanks with led lights,I put 36 inch strip on 48 inch tanks.I like how the sides are dimmer than the middle.

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I use the cheap LED by Beamworks EVO, and it works well.
 
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