LED for a 25 Cube

sevendust111 said:

I am in the process of consolidating most of my tanks into a single high tech show tank for my family room. The tank will be a 24.1 Aquamaxx low iron tank (17.8x17.8x17.8) and I want enough light to grow anything.

Stipulations:

1. No diy CFL set up (brooder/desk lamps, etc.)
2. No T5HO
3. Nothing hanging from the ceiling (wife’s orders)
4. Must be adjustable/dimming (no diy dimming)
5. Budget: 300$

Options: (so far that I could find)

1. 18-24” Current + pro

2. Kessil a160we

I am not sure a single unit of either of the above would be enough. A Kessil a360we is out of my price range and 2 + Pro’s would be up against my max. I would consider the Ray 2, but there is no dimmer. The Planted + 24.7 isn’t made in a good size for this tank.


What do you guys think Anything I am missing?

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vvDO said:

Aquatic life halo freshwater, you can find it for under 300 if you can find a coupon/deal, hanging kit would be extra though.


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IntotheWRX said:

you are a baller. i would say go for a $50 LED on amazon.com. pay extra $20 and you get dimmer and all the colors of the rainbow.

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sevendust111 said:

Yea the halo with the kit is out of my price range.

Bump:

I don't want one of those cheap Leds. Those Green Element Evo's cast too much of a "yellow" hue with only the white leds.

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jeffkrol said:

Ecotech Radion xr-15 is "slightly" closer.. but overall over budget w/ rail kit..
EcoTech Marine Radion XR15 Freshwater LED Light Fixture: Aquarium LED Light Fixtures

36cm Dsuny China direct via the worlds marketplace w/ standard 4 ch. controller is only
$169.99
131402369518
FP-a4-1

Warning.. not seeing the plastic tank mounts of ever rails w/ one panel..
Found a separate source:
https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Lig...?ie=UTF8&qid=1476219059&sr=8-6&keywords=dsuny
guaranteed not yellow............

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RyRob said:

Between the Current and the Kessil, I'd go with the Kessil especially if you plan on injecting co2 and using an aquasoil type substrate. Should be plenty enough light to grow anything you want it just all depends on how fast you want it to grow. Medium light, nutritious soil, and ample co2 can grow most any plant, for tank ideas look at most of Amano's tanks. Not nearly as high of light as one may expect but he ran nutritious soil and ample co2. His fixtures are powerful, mind you he suspends them a few feet above the tank so the intensity is reduced (usually 40-50 par across the substrate) and light coverage is 100%.

With medium/low light setups co2 becomes very important. Light drives plant growth so you might think "low light = less co2 and less nutrients" which isn't necessarily wrong but if you provide limitless nutrition and limitless co2, the plants don't have to work as hard to get the low light because 2/3 of the equation is already solved. Light then becomes your limiting factor. So, by providing limitless nutrition and co2 one can get away with less light and sacrifice a little growth rate. I think the Kessil would work well if you can make light your limiting factor. Pendants look way better on cubes than strip lights, IMO.

Having said that, you could DIY a pretty killer led unit for $300.

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sevendust111 said:

Thanks Jeff, I definitely want to buy from a more traditional online vendor like Amazon. And your right, the xr15 didn't make my list because of the cost. Also, my wife will not let me suspend anything from the ceiling.

Bump:
I totally agree with all of this but I am not sure I am going with aquasoil. I will be using co2 and dosing EI. I definitely don't want to spend 300 for only medium light though. I really don't have the time or desire for diy. I am not that handy either. I know you said you think pendants look better and I agree, but what do you guys think of 2 plus pros instead of 1. It would still fit my budget.

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ichy said:

I don't know anything about these, but if you could find PAR values for this light might be an option??

LED Aquarium Lighting | Aquatic Life EDGE LED Fixtures

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sevendust111 said:

They are definitely priced right and are the right length, but I can't find the par values anywhere.

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jeffkrol said:

In the pick a nit catagory.. No 660nm red (not uncommon) All colors on one channel (also not uncommon) and the form factor is a bit "problematic" on a cube..
As to the 30W output.. should be fair par for a 25gal..

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