Indoor plant LED lighting for aquarium? Alternative Forms of Lighting?

KevCNYC · 02-12-2013, 06:00 AM

Anyone know if these kinds of lights would be good for growing aquarium plants/ on a fish tank. I cant think of any reasons other than algae, but im looking for alternative LED plant lighting that would nessecarily be under aquarium related products. Any suggestions on non conventional lightings for aquariums? Just trying to see whats out there.

**acitydweller** · 02-12-2013, 10:08 AM

if you would consider an led with RGB adjustment, it would be equally as effective. i found the blue frequencies to promote the fastest growth while the red helped with leaf definition. A balance of the two is likely the best as overdoing one versus the other can cause problems. the overdose of blue actually triggered some crypts to melt, for example.

i mainly conducted the experiment for growth and not aesthetics as the light really doesnt make the tank very attractive but it does boost growth without a doubt.

KevCNYC · 02-12-2013, 01:07 PM

Wow great stuff thanks acitydweller, did u notice a high level of algae growth?

chibikaie · 02-12-2013, 11:07 PM

I have used a mixed red and blue LED light, twelve 1W LEDs in a spotlight that screws into a regular bulb socket, which grew Java fern very nicely. It has also kept a series of plants in buckets from melting before I get them planted - crypts and hygrophila, some vals. I had much less algae growth than I do now using more viewer-friendly lighting (light is a screaming magenta and hurts to look at a bit). Only other downside was that it was on the expensive side. Also, you may have to go really high end to get medium or high light.

**acitydweller** · 02-13-2013, 02:02 AM

actually zero algae growth surprisingly...

when you have either the blue or red light on, it really isnt all that bright but the light intensity is strong. I ran this on a fairly new tank with HM, Crypts, peacock moss tied to driftwood, asian ambrulia, and like 2-3 floaters. i have never seen moss grow so fast to carpet my entire driftwood and the ambrulia doubled in size reaching the water surface. The HM responded well to the light but was eventually shaded by the floaters which overran the tank. These color grow lamps arent much to look at if im honest, but it does wonders for certain plants.

KevCNYC · 02-13-2013, 02:46 AM

what about these you think?

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/63..._t8_6700k.html

They are like t8 LED tub bulbs that retrofit into T8 fixtures? Used as industrial lighting but for a med light tank close to the surface, might be a cheap alternative. Any thoughts? They come in all colors, was looking at 6700k for a overall good range for fish and plants.

homemadepopcorn · 02-13-2013, 03:00 AM

Its a nice idea, but I wouldn't go spending a bunch of money on them until someone can test some PAR numbers and their reliability.

02-12-2013, 06:00 AM	#1
KevCNYC Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Manhattan Posts: 15	Indoor plant LED lighting for aquarium? Alternative Forms of Lighting? Anyone know if these kinds of lights would be good for growing aquarium plants/ on a fish tank. I cant think of any reasons other than algae, but im looking for alternative LED plant lighting that would nessecarily be under aquarium related products. Any suggestions on non conventional lightings for aquariums? Just trying to see whats out there.

02-12-2013, 10:08 AM	#2
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (126/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,075	if you would consider an led with RGB adjustment, it would be equally as effective. i found the blue frequencies to promote the fastest growth while the red helped with leaf definition. A balance of the two is likely the best as overdoing one versus the other can cause problems. the overdose of blue actually triggered some crypts to melt, for example. i mainly conducted the experiment for growth and not aesthetics as the light really doesnt make the tank very attractive but it does boost growth without a doubt. __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

02-13-2013, 02:02 AM	#5
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (126/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,075	actually zero algae growth surprisingly... when you have either the blue or red light on, it really isnt all that bright but the light intensity is strong. I ran this on a fairly new tank with HM, Crypts, peacock moss tied to driftwood, asian ambrulia, and like 2-3 floaters. i have never seen moss grow so fast to carpet my entire driftwood and the ambrulia doubled in size reaching the water surface. The HM responded well to the light but was eventually shaded by the floaters which overran the tank. These color grow lamps arent much to look at if im honest, but it does wonders for certain plants. __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

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02-12-2013, 01:07 PM	#3
KevCNYC Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Manhattan Posts: 15	Wow great stuff thanks acitydweller, did u notice a high level of algae growth?

02-12-2013, 11:07 PM	#4
chibikaie Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 509	I have used a mixed red and blue LED light, twelve 1W LEDs in a spotlight that screws into a regular bulb socket, which grew Java fern very nicely. It has also kept a series of plants in buckets from melting before I get them planted - crypts and hygrophila, some vals. I had much less algae growth than I do now using more viewer-friendly lighting (light is a screaming magenta and hurts to look at a bit). Only other downside was that it was on the expensive side. Also, you may have to go really high end to get medium or high light.

02-13-2013, 02:46 AM	#6
KevCNYC Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Manhattan Posts: 15	what about these you think? http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/63..._t8_6700k.html They are like t8 LED tub bulbs that retrofit into T8 fixtures? Used as industrial lighting but for a med light tank close to the surface, might be a cheap alternative. Any thoughts? They come in all colors, was looking at 6700k for a overall good range for fish and plants.

02-13-2013, 03:00 AM	#7
homemadepopcorn Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City, NY Posts: 350	Its a nice idea, but I wouldn't go spending a bunch of money on them until someone can test some PAR numbers and their reliability.