What LED's are people using for Fish only displays?

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

FLESHY

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 7, 2006
5,542
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Central Wisconsin
Hey guys - looking for a cheap and energy efficient way to light my newest tank.

I have never gone the LED route before, but I am aware that there are lots of cheapo stuff out there that would work just fine for fish only.

Just wondering what people were running, and if they were happy with it etc. Thanks
 
I used the marineland doublebrights on my 240 and sold them after a few days. The light did not penetrate that well and was just too dim for me
 
I use the beamswork 48" singlebright on my 75 gallon (18" deep tank). It's plenty of light for my fish only tank, and they're only $70. I'd highly recommend them if you don't want to spend much and want a decent looking light.

Just don't buy them from aquatraders if you decide to go this route. Buy from some other vendor.
 
Ive set up quite a few reefs and planted tanks for people using aqua traders lights...never had an issue once.

No one thinks that the light I have chosen will work? I have similar ones at my work (Manage a live fish lab) and they work. Just very blue IMO.

I like a dim tank, and I think that the fish do too...the only thing I might want to grow in here is some large floaters.
 
Look up aquatraders on the BBB's website. They have a F rating for a reason. Their customer service is horrible. If you get undamaged products from them, they're great to deal with (because you don't have to deal with them). But if you need to return a defective/damaged item, or if you have a warranty issue, good luck dealing with them. I had to file a complaint with the BBB and a chargeback on my credit card before they did anything to remedy me getting a refund or new light when I received a defective unit.

And there's others on this forum that have had issues with them as well. This wasn't an isolated incident.
 
Hmm interesting. I have only had one issue, and it was fixed fast.

I also have literally set up 5 different reef tanks (for others) using their fixtures. Two planted tanks, and one vivarium using their fixtures. Another friend just replaced his MH fixture from them with an LED one on a a reef and says hes happy.

Ill keep this in mind, wasnt planning to go that route anyways.
 
It's not the products they sell. The products are quite good. I'd just buy from another source after personally dealing with their horrible customer service.

Anyway, other ways I've seen it done are by getting cheap LED strips off of ebay. You can build a canopy and just put those cheap strips in the canopy. Just use more or less depending on how bright you want it.

I've got an old fixture that has burnt out balasts and bulbs. I'm going to gut it and put LED strips in it. You could give this a try if you have an old fixture that no longer works. Just glue them in using 2 part epoxy, or some other strong glue. It's not going in the water, so you don't have to worry about leaching toxins.
 
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