Thanks GetSome, Im checking out the Satellite now. I really like the multiple settings offered and remote. I have a 75 tall so I want all the light possible to the bottom of the tank. Im not sure I'll get as much light from the Satellite since you can always add to the Aqueon.
LED Advice
- Thread starter FMA4ME
- Start date
current is good for low light
just look up (or try to look up) the PAR values for whatever fixture you're thinking of, and then compare that to the desired lighting level you want to achieve.
google how to light a planted tank with PAR for a better explanation than I can recall offhand on how much PAR translates into roughly what lighting level.
just look up (or try to look up) the PAR values for whatever fixture you're thinking of, and then compare that to the desired lighting level you want to achieve.
google how to light a planted tank with PAR for a better explanation than I can recall offhand on how much PAR translates into roughly what lighting level.
current is good for low light
just look up (or try to look up) the PAR values for whatever fixture you're thinking of, and then compare that to the desired lighting level you want to achieve.
google how to light a planted tank with PAR for a better explanation than I can recall offhand on how much PAR translates into roughly what lighting level.[/]
Thank you, I willSounds like this is the most important thing to consider, especially for my plants sake. I really like the multiple settings the Current offers, but it looks like them bells n whistles (I saw a pretty cool device that ramps the light up and down to create dusk and dawn lighting I like) aren't cheap.
**sigh** So I just came from petco. I noticed Fluval has 2 different led fixtures available. One
for $130 & one $280. Obviously the more expensive one said
"special wavelengths for plants, blah blah blah."
I don't mind spending money for upgrades later, but I really don't want to spend more than a couple hundred dollars now.
Then the guy at petco shows me T5 bulbs for $5!! I go to craigslist and sure enough there are a couple T5 fixtures there fairly cheap. I'm open to a used fixture if the bulbs are that cheap, especially if it means Ill have a light more capable of supporting more plants in the future. What do you guys think?? My goal right now is NOT a planted tank with exotic species requiring lots of light, Ill probably never run a Co2 system, but I want what I do have (low/moderate light plants) to thrive.
for $130 & one $280. Obviously the more expensive one said
"special wavelengths for plants, blah blah blah."
I don't mind spending money for upgrades later, but I really don't want to spend more than a couple hundred dollars now.
Then the guy at petco shows me T5 bulbs for $5!! I go to craigslist and sure enough there are a couple T5 fixtures there fairly cheap. I'm open to a used fixture if the bulbs are that cheap, especially if it means Ill have a light more capable of supporting more plants in the future. What do you guys think?? My goal right now is NOT a planted tank with exotic species requiring lots of light, Ill probably never run a Co2 system, but I want what I do have (low/moderate light plants) to thrive.
T5 fixtures work well, they are not as efficient and you will need to replace bulbs atleast once a year to keep plants healthy but the fixture costs are much less than led. I gotta mention the greatest led ive ever used, the kessil a150w "amazon sun". Definitely has the power to reach the bottom of your tank and the color and shimmer is amazing. Plants have responded very well.The downside is the cost (225) and you will need to figure out your own moonlight but it is very powerful and extremely bright and has had excellent success in marine and growlight applications although fw planted tanks dont seem to be too many.
I would suggest two ten watt led floodlights from Amazon or ebay. Then a separate moon light. I like the shadows and light effect better.
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Thanks brich, thanks for mentioning that shimmer. I've seen that shimmer on reef tanks and I really hope for that effect in my tank. Also thanks for reminding me about changing the bulbs. I hate sounding stupid, but ya know I have 2 florescents on it now that I haven't changed in seriously 8-10 YEARS!! My plants are paying for it now. My Jungle Val is corkscrewing and growing into a pretzel, my Java Fern looks like I've been growing it IN a cup of java (coffee) oddly, my Anubias is bustin though
A few success stories, and I totally would get on board. Tell me more. Thanks man
The thing with t5ho is that if you go that route, you'd only want a 2 bulb fixture with good reflectors, anything better than that and you run into high light territory which demands co2.
However, if you get a cheap t5ho fixture with 2 bulbs or so...it has meh quality reflectors....you'd only be at medium light if not lower, which would be perfect for what you are trying to achieve.
I will say this, when it comes to LED vs. Flourecent bulbs....LED are great at growing plants, don't need to be changed, but are expensive outright and not the best at getting plants to be anything other than green (for the most part). Other lighting types need changing (I need to change my T5HO once a year more or less, if not more often than that) and will probably cost you more in the grande scheme of things, but it will bring out richer colors in your plants. Of course, that is also dependent on the conditions in which your plants are growing.
I'd aim for low end medium to straight low lighting, that way you can avoid certain things like worrying too much about fertilizers and the like.
However, if you get a cheap t5ho fixture with 2 bulbs or so...it has meh quality reflectors....you'd only be at medium light if not lower, which would be perfect for what you are trying to achieve.
I will say this, when it comes to LED vs. Flourecent bulbs....LED are great at growing plants, don't need to be changed, but are expensive outright and not the best at getting plants to be anything other than green (for the most part). Other lighting types need changing (I need to change my T5HO once a year more or less, if not more often than that) and will probably cost you more in the grande scheme of things, but it will bring out richer colors in your plants. Of course, that is also dependent on the conditions in which your plants are growing.
I'd aim for low end medium to straight low lighting, that way you can avoid certain things like worrying too much about fertilizers and the like.
Thanks double H
Im still trying to figure out what I'm going to do. Is it possible to just swap the ballasts out of what I have (t12s) and run t8s?
Thanks double H
I'm not the right guy to know that. I'm horrible and that kinda thing.
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