setting up a 29G planted newbie

[wutang61]

I am currently researching a low-tech planted setup. Looking for a low tech/low light setup. I don't want to mess with co2 injection. Biggest part that has me puzzled is the lighting.

My first plan was to get the marine land LED hood setup for my tank and supplement the lighting with the "hidden" led system from them as well.

Hood: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3475&subref=AA

Hidden LED system: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=24833

but I do not believe this will be enough light.

So I started looking at this light : http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=24726

but I'm concerned that will provide to much light and co2 will become necessary.

setup so far: Aquaclear 70, Eco complete, 150w heater

I don't have a problem with dosing ferts every week. but daily dosing is something i want to avoid. tank will be a female Betta sorority/ community tank.


any help would be great!

thanks!

[Wannaberooted]

I'm no expert on either LED's or lighting, but I know a bit, and I think you are right on both fixtures. You could always add some window screen to the second to dim it down a bit if you need to.

[wutang61]

Originally Posted by Wannaberooted

I'm no expert on either LED's or lighting, but I know a bit, and I think you are right on both fixtures. You could always add some window screen to the second to dim it down a bit if you need to.

I also looked at the "double bright" LED fixture. But this has no timer on it it would be a pain to set it to lunar every night. I thought about getting that and then adding a secondary light source for the night lighting but the cost is almost as much as the plant-capable led system with a timer on it. I'm pretty sure that has a lunar mode as well.

Window screen isn't a bad idea. I have tons of sun shade screen that cuts 80% of light out could place it over every 2nd or 3rd led


Sent from my toaster with the 4g's and the wifis

[BraveBuc]

I can confirm that the light in the hood is not enough to grow plants. I have it in the garage collecting dust.

Have you considered just going with a single t5ho?

[shiloh]

The first light is not nearly enough and the second light is okay but not great. If you wanted a better light I'd look at Finnex instead of Marineland.

[wutang61]

Originally Posted by BraveBuc

I can confirm that the light in the hood is not enough to grow plants. I have it in the garage collecting dust.

Have you considered just going with a single t5ho?

i considered the t5 route but i really like the sleekness of the led systems.

[naturelady]

I know of people who have successfully used the Marineland "double-bright" LED systems in planted tanks up to about 60 gals. So it certainly can be effective lighting in a 29 gal.

One thing I am wondering- why do you want the lunar nighttime lighting? If you want the LED, they can provide adequate daytime light.

I also would suggest not getting a hood with a built-in light for a second reason: If you should want to raise the lights higher up from the surface of the water, that is not an option with hoods with built-in lights. I like the separate light fixtures because they give you more options for controlling your lighting. Now, granted, the hood with built-in light that you posted has such a low level of light, it is unlikely you would ever need to raise it to decrease your light intensity, but I am just pointing out one of the disadvantages of that style of light fixture.

[naturelady]

Oh, and welcome to TPT! Stick around, read lots on the forums, and before long, you will be answering questions too.

Also, good job on doing your research BEFORE setting up the tank. That's the best way to save money, because you don't buy something, try it, and realize you don't like it. Look around on the forum- there is lots of great information here.

[wutang61]

Originally Posted by naturelady

I know of people who have successfully used the Marineland "double-bright" LED systems in planted tanks up to about 60 gals. So it certainly can be effective lighting in a 29 gal.

One thing I am wondering- why do you want the lunar nighttime lighting? If you want the LED, they can provide adequate daytime light.

I also would suggest not getting a hood with a built-in light for a second reason: If you should want to raise the lights higher up from the surface of the water, that is not an option with hoods with built-in lights. I like the separate light fixtures because they give you more options for controlling your lighting. Now, granted, the hood with built-in light that you posted has such a low level of light, it is unlikely you would ever need to raise it to decrease your light intensity, but I am just pointing out one of the disadvantages of that style of light fixture.

I have the lunar light feature on my 10 gallon. And it's awesome at night.

So it's something that I would want to bring to a larger tank. The double bright led system is still an option for me. But I would have the light on a timer and this would completely turn the unit off and make the night mode unusable. So buying 2 of the accent lights to keep in a permanent night function pushes the cost to near the price of the plant capable system and I wouldn't have to buy a timer or have extra cords running from the tank.

Amazon has the reef version of light for under 200 bucks. Hopefully they will get the plant version soon. As it should be even cheaper






Sent from my toaster with the 4g's and the wifis

[thebuddha]

im using a coralife 30" t5no and its doing okay so far. definitely low light. looks sleek enough to me...
but if i didnt get this t5 i would have gone for the 30" fugeray and hung it from the ceiling.

[wutang61]

im considering going with the reef light as it seems to be 40 bucks cheaper then the plant version. anyone use it with good luck on a planted tank? or should i just shell the extra for the plant version?

i figure i can just cut down the hours of the light being on to make up for the amount of light the plants will get.

[owens81jw]

Originally Posted by wutang61

im considering going with the reef light as it seems to be 40 bucks cheaper then the plant version. Anyone use it with good luck on a planted tank? Or should i just shell the extra for the plant version?

I figure i can just cut down the hours of the light being on to make up for the amount of light the plants will get.

catalina aquariums ,single t5 bulb.

Look it up