[Elrodg]

Ok so I have an existing 48" single bulb t10-12 light that currently has a 1900 lumens t12 in it. I have a 75 gallon tank with a few plants in it. I want a lot more plants and I have a few cichlids and random fish. I need more light obviously. But how far do I need to go really? I have cabinet lights that are t5. But would that even help? Do I need to go led? I don't know pls help.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.615600,-88.302922

 

[AdamP.]

www.ahsupply.com

I am running an ahsupply 2x 55W power compact over my 75 gallon and it is enough light for me. Everyone is going to T5 bulbs nowadays though and Ahsupply has those too.

check the sticky under the lighting section about bulb types and PAR.

 

[Pooch]

What do you want to grow? What kind of persistent maintenance schedule works for you (i.e., How often do you want to trim plants?). I'm not being coy, but that's really important when choosing lights. I'd shy away from LED until you know 1) you're in it for the long haul, and 2) learn and practice what you can/want to do with plants. There are many choices in lighting that are affordable other than LED.

 

[Elrodg]

Ok let's put it this way. I work at home and watch my son. That's it I pretty much have plenty of time to maintain a planted tank


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.615713,-88.302705

 

[Elrodg]

I don't really know what I want to grow. I just know that I want a very comfortable tank for my fish and if I have to go co2 then so be it


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.615624,-88.302839

 

[Elrodg]

I have found a set of cuttable strip lights that are 156 lumens per 36 led and they are waterproof. Also have the color change ones, uv and ir LEDs as well. I'm thinking I can mix a few together and make one hell of a light set.

Fifteen dollars per ft of lights. Is that cheap? Expensive?


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.615628,-88.302848

 

[Hoppy]

Do you have a link to those LEDs? They sound interesting.

 

[zachary908]

Do you have a link to those LEDs? They sound interesting.

Agreed, I would like to see a link as well.

 

[JimG]

I am currently running a 4x55 bright kit from AH Supply with a combination of 9325K GE Aquaray and 6700K bulbs on my 75g and it has worked well for me.

But LED's are the future I guess.

 

[Elrodg]

Http://www.elementalled.com. He has a ton of diff options and I think this is what I am gonna go with because they are the highest output for the cheapest price I can find.

 

[Elrodg]

My question would be if I should add a strip of uv LEDs. Or just the white and color change? The controller for the is relatively cheap at under 50 bucks.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.615612,-88.302835

 

[farrenator]

The best deal you are going to find on lights is here on this forum. This guy is selling one helluva light fixture for cheap. WAAAAY more light than you need but you don't have to run all the bulbs. Best to go big at first and cut down then not go big enough and find you have to spend more money later on.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/swap-n-shop/146657-fs-90-g-tank-everything-equipment-2.html

 

[Elrodg]

Well i just don't need THAT much light. I couldn't even fit that in a cabinet hood. I am trying to keep it all concealed. Planning to build a canopy hood for it. All oak and I am seriously thinking about these LEDs. I just wonder how many it's going to take. I know I want the color change strip for my own personal aesthetic reasons. I don't know about the uv strip yet. That might come later. But who knows. It's all kinda up in the air right now.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.615730,-88.302691

 

[Hoppy]

LEDs which will give you adequate light will also require some kind of heatsink to keep them cool. A strip of LEDs that doesn't use a heatsink is highly unlikely to give you enough light. So, I doubt very much that you can get adequate light from that particular LED strip, even if you use several strips across the tank. In any case, you don't need UV for any reason on a planted tank.

 

[JasonG75]

With the 18" FootPrint I have found, what ever your light system is, you need 2 of them.

I have a 75, and soon I will be adding another 48" T5ho (2x54) to it.

 

[2in10]

LEDs which will give you adequate light will also require some kind of heatsink to keep them cool. A strip of LEDs that doesn't use a heatsink is highly unlikely to give you enough light. So, I doubt very much that you can get adequate light from that particular LED strip, even if you use several strips across the tank. In any case, you don't need UV for any reason on a planted tank.

Those are 1.5W to 3W per foot diodes. They would be fine for light a FO tank only. And mood lighting.:icon_twis

 

[Elrodg]

Well possibly added to my existing lighting will suffice. I went in the garage and found a 13" t5 and a 2x6"t5 fixtures. Unfortunately I was only able to find cool white bulbs for it at a local supply store. Hopefully I can find something better.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.615459,-88.302614