I actually was inspired by you and a few others to modify my 30" Beamswork 55W fixture by adding a few RGB strips. It was extremely simple, and I have mimicked an Ecoxotic E-Series with a more powerful light, same effects, for less $$.
You end up with the same features as the E-Series, in a more powerful light. I know because I'm selling my E-Series in the classifieds.
I have extensively tested LEDs for years over my reef, and I was one of the first to bring attention to Evergrow (Reefbreeders) LEDs outside of China. Pics to come later.
Oh, and it grows everything I put into it like crazy, including high light plants that I didn't know were high light plants (i'm new to planted tanks). This is without CO2 added.
Not sure if this is a success story, but I have used it successfully to grow a downoi farm in my 2.5 gallon tank. It grew downoi for me gloriously, still have the tank and light stored away just in case I want to start a second downoi farm
This is my modified 30" Beamworks. It was to bright for my needs. I ended up dimming it a bit and added 4 strips of RGBs for sunset, sunrise and moon effects. I also added 2 strips of cool white LEDs.
Edit: I forgot to mention this light was great just as it came.. I bought this model because the price was low and I had plans to DIY something. This light made the DIY build very easy and cheaper than actually trying to piece together all the pieces for a "from scratch DIY build. I will certainly buy another.
Here is my 47g starphire rimless tank setup with two 36" tri 0.5w 6500k Beamswork lights. Love it and don't seem to have any problem growing plants with it.
Here is my 47g starphire rimless tank setup with two 36" tri 0.5w 6500k Beamswork lights. Love it and don't seem to have any problem growing plants with it.
Not yet have the time to add the RGB strip, the fixture is the green element 48", 64x3watts individual optic, The SNAKEEYE, a different series but the same producer.
I love the Beamswork led lights. I currently have 2 36" 3w diode models over my 50gallon and just started a 29 gallon with 2 30" 3w diode models. I've only used LEDs and have had no trouble growing anything in my 50gallon including HC. I like the LEDs because they don't generate the heat that floresent bulbs do. For example I have a x-mas moss tree ( now a giant pad of Christmas moss lol) that is barley under water and inches away from my Beamswork lights and it flourishes. It would have burned under bulbs. I don't have any pics right now but I have nothing but good things to say about Beamswork lights. I have only owned the 3w models and would recommend them to anyone. I have owned two of them and ran them on a 10hr lights on period for one strait year with no cooling fans and have never had a problem. I don't have par ratings but the 2 36" 3w models I have on my 50gallon are freaking bright and have caused the tank to grow like a jungle I actually had to pull my ludwigia out because it would grow out of the tank and all over in a week. There have also been myths that LEDs won't grow red plants but my ludwigia was very red. I call the tank the jungle because everything has grown out of control (pressurized co2 and liquid ferts might have something to do with it too .
I like my little light fine. I don't believe they had a plant specific spectrum when I bought mine so that's my only issue with it. Well, that and it's plastic so it doesn't sit quite flat, but I do think the glossy black plastic is attractive. Here is a picture of a 6 gallon tank I had, not at it's prime but a good example of what it could grow in a non CO2 nano. I have since changed the tank out for a similar 10 gallon which fits the light even better, and still seems to grow things fine, it will just take some time to look good, it is only about 2 weeks old. Anyway, here is the old 6 gallon. I also plan to add RGB strips to mine, I have them, just haven't had time to deal with it.
Recently ordered Beamworks 36" 66 x 0.5w LED 6500K fixture for 29-gallon tank - recommended by jeffkrol as a budget-friendly option...( Haven't received it yet, still on the way)...Hoping to get MEDIUM lighting out of it
I might get some Red and Blue (or the ones with Red:Blue 5:1) LED strips down the road to add to the fixture.
I posted an updated review of the SnakeEyes LED Quad 30" 3W Timer Ready 6500K light here. After an initial issue with a bad fan (which Aquatraders replaced), I'm very pleased with it.
It is fairly straight forward..
That is mainly for the 1/2 series but the 1w is not much different. As a suggestion though, 5630smd's are stronger than the 5050's .
somewhat depends on your objective.
Ive been using a Beamswork double bright hi lumen something or another for almost 3 months now on my High Tech 20 long with zero issues. its been fantastic so far!
Ive been using a Beamswork double bright hi lumen something or another for almost 3 months now on my High Tech 20 long with zero issues. its been fantastic so far!
Thanks for sharing Sean. First actual evidence that this fixture can grow high light plants. I might get one for my terrarium. The hell with the more expensive ones...they cost too much. Might have to try one of these out.
Now, that is too expensive and you get way more LED strips/connectors than you would likely need, depending on the size of the light. However, you can find basically the same thing for 1/4 of the price. Nice because it comes with a remote, power supply, connectors, and RGB strips. Works just like my Current Sat +, though I can use a 2nd timer for the RGB if I want, but no effects (don't care). I can add more LED's than the fixture has but I found 2 strips is more than enough adjustment.
Hi everyone,
New to this forum, not to the hobby!!
i have had 1 planted Discus tank running for 5+ years. I have got it down to little maintenance (Partly due to idea water conditions from the tap in South Australia, i just put Ager CN in get it to 26 degrees and pour it in) about 6 Months ago i switch from Sylvania Grow-lux tubes to 10000k Daylight T8 tubes and i am More than impressed with the growth from my plants and incredibly low algae growth (can go months with out scrubbing, no algaecides!!!
This brings me to the reason why i am here... one of my best mates recently passed away(32 years old), leaving behind a legacy of fish tanks, i have taken possession of his 3' Planted aquarium with Apistogramma Double reds in it (he was trying to get them to breed) The tank came with a Beamworks LED fitting, What is people EXPERIENCE with these LED lights? and what about plant growth under LED light? I am thinking of switching to Fluro's on this tank as i KNOW i can get good healthy lush growth with minimal additives.
Top Picture - Apistogramma Double Red species specific (Beamworks LED)
Bottom picture - Discus x 3, Sailfin, Red tail, Bristle nose, betta & a cat keeping warm (single 36w 10000k T8 Fluro)
Here's my 10 gallon tank with a 17" Beamwork Tri 1 Watt 6500k fixture:
Since then, the Crypts have grown out of control...to the top of the tank, so I had to turn the tank around and now they're the background plants. I don't have any recent pics, but its crazy thick, even though I've taken bunches out to sell and put in other tanks.
And here's an old-ish pic of my 55 gal with a 48" Pent 0.5 Watt 6500k fixture:
That sword started in a 10 gallon, moved to a 30, then split in two and moved to the 55 before sending out a runner with 7 new plants. I've since sold the mother plant and kept the babies...it grows like crazy under that light.
I've been so happy with my experience with Beamswork lights that I got an 18" 10,000k fixture for a second 10 gallon I recently started and 36" Snakeyes fixture for a 58 gallon that I'll be setting up...I still have to build a sump for that tank. No pics of these lights yet...
im a member now i guess 48" 3watt 32... im kicking myself for not grabbing the quad i wanted a better spread so i might endup with another 48" as the fluval is nice for growing and for color but not As bright as these and my 75 is about ready to move into .
I wrote to a supplier in Canada asking if he sells the pent 0,5W version. The guy said he sticks with the older 0,2W version because the leds have less chance to fail on those ones.
Those who have the 3W version : I am wondering for how long do you own them?
I wrote up an article a while back that mostly just compares my change from a single .2w BM fixture to dual .5w fixtures over my 40 breeder. I haven't really followed it up and currently my plants look weak because they are struggling through me taking away my DIY CO2 setup. However, I am super happy with these lights and as a returning planted noob in the last year or so I was able to grow any plant I dropped in the tank.
I dropped CO2 because it was mass of 2 liter bottles...which worked very successfully BTW...but I am currently refurbing a 125g acrylic tank and won't have pressurized on that. I will move all plants from my 40 hence the reason I am putting them through the shock of C02 removal now.
I plan to go "low tech" on the 125 and will start off with trying to reuse the 2 36" BW fixtures, I also have a 30" of the same .5w model I can add in (was used on a 20L). If I end up buying something more powerful I will definitely go with BW again. The price is just right and I can grow plants just as well with them. I don't need a light show in my tank, really the only feature I do like is the ability to have them come on in "low light mode" with only one strip of lights coming on since it is completely dark when my lights come on, and I just flick them over to full when I get up.
Fixture Size: 47.00" x 9.25" x 1.25" (Add 0.65" in height with bracket installed)
LEDs Count: 64
8640 Lumens
Super energy efficient 3 watt high output LEDs
64x 6,500K LED
Use 192 watts
Does anyone know what beam angle the Quad fixtures are? It indicates "new and improved wider angles" but what angles are they? I'd like to get it if it's narrow so it can be hung high above the water.
I'd love to see PAR readings for some of these fixtures. I'm thinking of eventually adding a beams work LED to my 75 to have better overall light spread in my 75
I have been looking at the Beamswork Pent 48" for my 55gal, the one thats 7400 lumen with 144x 0.5W 6500K LEDs. Would this light overpower my DIY co2 and force me to go with pressurized co2? I cannot find the PAR ratings on it and my plants range from from a few low to medium/med high.
I have been looking at the Beamswork Pent 48" for my 55gal, the one thats 7400 lumen with 144x 6500K LEDs. Would this light overpower my DIY co2 and force me to go with pressurized co2? I cannot find the PAR ratings on it and my plants range from from a few low to medium/med high.
Thanks I am looking into the 3W and I eventually did find par readings. I think I may go with the 1W fixture so I do not end up having to go pressurized.
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