LED light on planted tank

[skjl47]

Hello; I removerd the fluorescent fixtures from the hood on a 55 gallon tank this weekend. I replaced the two 18 inch tubes with foru LED bulbs.

The LED bulbs are ECOSMART purchased from Home Depot for about $10 each. They are bright White General purpose Bulbs. The color is in the 3000K range. I usually try to use light in the 6500 K range but these are not too warm.

They are 40 watt equivalent; 40 lumens; instant on; dimmable. They are supposed to use 6 watts each.

The 55 is heavily planted and has been set up for about 3 1/2 years. i will keep watch to see how the plants do under thes lights.

 

[Redearsunfish]

Good luck. Normal LEDs don't do well with plants.

 

[brich999]

Wow that is a seriously planted tank! Id be concerned with coverage, looks like you could use a few more to more evenly distribute light

 

[skjl47]

Good luck. Normal LEDs don't do well with plants.

Hello; I have not tried the LED's on plants so will find out. I have grown plants under the compact fluroscent lights (CFL) that screw into the standard sockets, so will be able to put those in if the plants begin to show sign of problems.

I found some LED bulbs at Wal-Mart today in the 5000K range for around $10 and may try them. I like the cooler/bluer color as a rule.

 

[skjl47]

Wow that is a seriously planted tank! Id be concerned with coverage, looks like you could use a few more to more evenly distribute light

Hello; The coverage is somewhat better than the picture indicates. There is a small area at the center of the tank that is not well saturated but little can be done with the current light fixtures.

 

[Redearsunfish]

You have a nice tank, I wouldn't want to mess that up! I know that plant growing LEDs are very expensive.