LEDs

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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BaileyIV

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 19, 2010
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montana
ok im new to the planted tanks and im trying to find out if the marineland double will work for growing some plants. i have a 125 gallon tank that is 23 inches deep and i orderd two of 36-48in the double brights. i have been trying to find reviews and some ppl say yes you can and others say no so can some one please help :confused:
 
Those fixtures are only 24 watts each and utilize leds of unknown efficacy, and half the leds are blue. They probably look ok on a saltwater tank, but would make a planted tank look unnatural. Plus they're overpriced performance wise. If you really want leds over your 125, I would suggest a DIY effort using white leds only for a planted tank. There are a few places on the web selling DIY LED kits containing brand name high performance components. check out -Rapid LED Home Page
I built a DIY system last year for my 225 plant tank and couldn't be happier with the results. You can see my project here - http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364010&highlight=leds+glossostigma
 
The 'reef capable' fixture puts out PAR of 64 at 24", which is medium light. I can imagine the 'double bright' would be less than half of that, which is very low light. If you're looking to grow very low light plants like anubias and ferns, it should be fine. Anything more demanding than that, and it won't work too well.

In summary, these things are waste of money.

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I have 2 of those lights. I have them on 20 high tanks and love them. I grow low light plants like crazy!!! However, any deeper I don't think would work. They are nice lights though. I think you will like the look on your tank, but probably won't do well for plants.

I grow crypts, hornowrt, pennywort, anubias, java fern, and moss without any issues on these lights in 20 high tanks.
 
If you want LEDs made for growing plants look into hydroponics and indoor gardening. They have started making LEDs suitable for plants that need high intensity light, but the last time I came across them they were very expensive.
 
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