[foxfish]

Hi Guys, I did a quick search on you site to see if any one has tried this light from TMC http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/planted-tank/grobeam-500.asp but could not find anything..
It looks to me like this is the first decent LED system that has come onto the UK market although I have not actually seen any results, good price though....Fox.

 

[Wasserpest]

Not the first LED system, but it's about time that we see more of them, including controllers/dimmers, and about time prices come down to realistic numbers.

 

[Hoppy]

This is also the best way to design LED lights - as modules to be fitted together to meet the needs of any size tank. (My opinion) They also use the high power Cree LEDs, which is good news. I don't recall seeing these in any USA ads yet, so I wonder what their price will be here.

 

[foxfish]

We only have one large publication mag covering general fish keeping in England & these new TMC lights are being tested in the mags office tanks at this moment.
It would seem the marine version light tile is a very effective product but the fresh water plant grow light has yet to have a full trial.
The timer accessory is also said to be very effective as it can offer many variations including a 6 hour build up to full power and 6 hour down power plus full colour change sun rise sun set modes.
The best part for me however is the cost - I think with the current rate of exchange the 500 grow light would cost about $120 & is said to be the equivalent of a 30'' T 5.
I have ordered the grow light but there is a waiting list due to demand!

 

[hbosman]

subscribed

 

[foxfish]

Well it arrived today - not sure what to think at the moment!
Nice neat light just like the advertising shows but when I first switched in on in the lounge I was not exactly impressed.
I tried switching off all the room lights & seeing what the hand held effect would be on the room, definitely a bright LED spot light but I dont think it could light up the room anywhere near as well as a T5 or even a T8.
I mean you could not light up the room anywhere other than where the light is pointing, not necessarily a bad thing in the aquarium but I guess I wasn't sure what to expect.
Any how it was not difficult to install the unit, not for me anyhow due to my tank cover being made from wood.
The effect is interesting due to the shimmer effect you get from the unit but it is not as bright as I had hoped however I am not unhappy because at 12 watts this is a seriously bright light - time will tell how well it performs.......
Fox

 

[foxfish]

OK - two days after installing the "12watt" light I can see noticeable activity from the foreground plants directly under the light.
My pogostemon helferi seems to be especially joyous showing changes in colour & form.
The LED seems to have good penetrative power though the water column & in no way as invasive to the room ambience as other shimmer effect or spots lights I have tried.... looking very promising!
NB. The Grolight is an addition to my present fluorescent lighting.

 

[foxfish]

I have now positioned the light strip right at the front of the tank & only 2'' above the water. I found that when the light was suspended 6'' up the ripple effect was a little to distracting!

 

[foxfish]

Well plants are growing well but my question is - I would like to use a basic routine of daily fertilizer dosing, What would you recommend I buy?
I have been using easy life carbo & profito for the last two weeks & it seems to work ok but as I have no thing else to judge against I was just wondering what you views would be?
Thanks Fox.

 

[Hoppy]

I'm pretty sure I have read that you can now buy KNO3 and KH2PO4 in the UK. If so, that would be a starting point. Then add a trace element mix, which your profito may be, and you are set to dose per the estimative index method, or any other method, for that matter.

 

[foxfish]

OK thanks I will have a search around to see if I can find KNO3 and KH2PO4.

 

[foxfish]

I found the products for sale here http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?chapter=0&id=9&main_page=page I just need to find out about using them!?

 

[Wasserpest]

Reading the page you found would be an excellent start! :fish:

 

[foxfish]

I am starting to wonder about my tank set up as it uses a sump.
I initially thought the extra water would provide a more stable environment but it now seems that aspect is unlikely to matter when you carry out a 50% weekly water change.
So my display tank holds 150 lts & the sump holds another 40 lts but weather there is any benefit I dont know?
On the other side of the coin my tank does seem to work & look well?

 

[foxfish]

When I look at this link http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=145_146 the powders for sale dont use the same description letters & numbers as has been recommended :icon_conf
Ca you tell me which powders are KN03 - KH2P04 & which one has the trace elements?
Thanks Fox.

 

[NJAquaBarren]

Foxfish. This is great. Lower running cost, cool, long-lasting and light more directly focused into the tank.

Please keep us posted on progress. What did you replace with this?

AB

 

[foxfish]

Well I have used all sorts of light over the years & I was using a 250w metal halide last year then I went to T5s.
I still have 120w of fluorescents, the led is placed above the foreground as a supplement & to test its effect.

I was in B&Q today & I noticed that they now sell a range of replacement GU10 bulbs, I bought a 3.7w 3 xLED bulb.
Cost about £11.00 & seems to be very efficient!!
Previous B&Q 1.1w LEDs that I have bought were not very bright but this one seems to have three very bright diodes in the bulb & really does produce a bright light.
(B&Q = hardware store)