Which LEDs for planted tank?

[el_heb]

Hi all,

I would like to upgrade my light, i have a 2x39w T5HO, but am interested in LEDs. I'm looking at Current USA's Truelumen Pro LED striplight vs BoostLED's PAR30 bulbs.

Does anyone has any experience at growing plants with these?

I'm looking to light a 48x20x20 and a 48x24x24.

How many striplights would i need or how many PAR30 bulbs would i need?

Thanks in advance

Cheers

[el_heb]

Or should i just stick with T5HO? Or change to 2x70w metal halide?

[DiscusLoverJeff]

It sounds like your looking for a "Hi tech" lighting setup? What kind of plants and fish?

Pictures are always good too, Lol.

Good luck with your setup, its a good question because I was wondering the same thing.

[redfishsc]

Select your LEDs based (largely) on the quality of the emitter they use.

I think the BoostLED PAR bulbs use Crees, which are just fine.


I'm definitely partial to the PAR bulbs if not going a DIY route. Plug-n-play. Just do some homework on deciding what optic angle you want.

[el_heb]

Hi all

My current tank is a 48x16x20, it's 65g. My plants include swords, crypts, anubias, and ferns. Got really tired of pruning stem plants every 3 days. And I plan to upgrade, maybe ina year or so, to a 48x24x24 120g, cause i want discus, and my current tank make it a SW FOWLR or softie reef. My reason to change to LEDs is because of energy savings and long lasting bulb... and i really want the shimmer effect LOL. But i havent found anything of LEDs and plants.

I can't upload a picture from my iphone. Once i have access to a pc i'll post one

Cheers

[redfishsc]

LEDs are more than capable of growing plants (I use them exclusively for plants).

Over a 48X16X20, using quality PAR30 bulbs, I think you'd need a minimum of 3 of them using optic angles no more narrow than 60 degrees (unless you can raise it way up high, like 20-30" over the tank).


Go with all cool white (6500K).

[el_heb]

BoostLED has an all white bulb 7000k 5x3W with 60 degree optics, i was considering that. The reefing folk recommend 1 bulb for 12x12", can i get away with 1 bulb for 24x24" area? Considering its planted.

[Milad LEDGroupBuy.com]

Originally Posted by el_heb

BoostLED has an all white bulb 7000k 5x3W with 60 degree optics, i was considering that. The reefing folk recommend 1 bulb for 12x12", can i get away with 1 bulb for 24x24" area? Considering its planted.

You would either need to get wider optics or raise the bulb higher to cover a 24x24 area. I would think the output would be fine, its just the coverage you need to worry about.

Or you could always build your own and save some $$

[el_heb]

This is a pic of my current tank

I don't have any technical knowledge, i'm a medical resident, so i would need a plug-n-play fixture, like the current-usa truelumen pro or boostled's bulbs.

Anyone has any experience with current's striplights?

[el_heb]

Does anyone uses Ecoxotic's Panorama Pro modules? I'm interested in getting a couple of these for my tank to replace my 2x39 T5HO. How many modules would I need to get low-medium light and cover the 48x16x20?

[galabar]

This guy is pretty high on the TMC GrowBeam lights for planted tanks:

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/LEDLights.html

His article shows a 12 watt TMC GrowBeam beating a 175 watt metal halide:

http://www.americanaquariumproducts...._Lighting.html

I'm not sure about the conditions of that test and he claims that TMC has exclusive rights to a particular high-PAR LED from Cree, which I have not confirmed.

However, it does look like an interesting option.

[EDIT: After reading the article again, I'm not sure if that test uses the TMC LED]

[WingoAgency]

60W of LED will be close to around 1.5-2.5 time of your current light depending on the lens.

Without lens, to achieve med to high PAR for planted requires A LOT MORE POWER than 60W. I think 60W with 60 degree lens is a great choice in your case.

Expect ~$300 for a dimmable one.

The Revolutions Series looks like this
[IMG] Flickr 上 WingoAgency 的 RS1.0 Fixture on a 18x18x18 cube IMG_2036[/IMG]

The Grand Slam Series looks like this

Flickr 上 WingoAgency 的 Grand Slam A


I also noticed you asked about PAR bulbs. I have charted my PAR 38 6,700K(the brand you mentioned-I am happy to chart theirs too f some one local can lend me one) with 60 degree optics. You can match back the results with a sticky, I think from SN:Hobby so see how dense the bulbs you need.
[IMG] Flickr 上 WingoAgency 的 PAR38 15x1W WingoLED DayLight 6,700K PAR DATA[/IMG]

[Sparky007]

[IMG] Flickr 上 WingoAgency 的 RS1.0 Fixture on a 18x18x18 cube IMG_2036[/IMG]



I'm liking that revolution series, I think it would fit perfectly on a mini-L.
Where is this from? OR is it a home build?

[WingoAgency]

Both DIY Parts and manufactured products are available:
Revolution Link Here

Originally Posted by Sparky007

[IMG] Flickr 上 WingoAgency 的 RS1.0 Fixture on a 18x18x18 cube IMG_2036[/IMG]



I'm liking that revolution series, I think it would fit perfectly on a mini-L.
Where is this from? OR is it a home build?

[el_heb]

Hi all

Found these in a local home improvement store
http://www.magg.com.mx/catalogo/?pro...LAR&q=node/854

there's 6 LEDs at 15.2 watts total at 5000k and 80º optics, the store clerk told me one unit would be enough to light a 24x24 area. At 15.2 watts with 6 LEDs i think that would make it a little over 2 watts per LED. Would this be enough for my tank? I was considering getting 2.

Thanks