Any feedback on AquaPanel LED lighting?

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Ryi

Shrimp fear me
Feb 10, 2009
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Sunny Florida
I've got a CF fixture for my 160 (work in progress) but would like better lighting for a low-tech heavily planted tank. I've still got to finish the stand, so I'm taking the time to websurf/windowshop fixtures.

I'm looking at LEDs. Hoppy's posts over at TPT forum were a huge help, Milad's LED DIY build as well. Much as I would love to make my own I honestly am not up to the 6' lighting challenge, either in $$ or skill. I admit hoppy's indepth discussion of LED effective involving calculus/charts/saturation and wavelengths left me feeling like I was in college again (and behind on my homework!)

I found this http://www.sunshine-systems.com/AquaPanel-LED-Aquarium-Light-p/ap-26482-aq.htm and am wondering if daisy-chaining 2 or 3 would be effective? For the $$ would it be equivalent to a couple http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Freshwater-Bright-p/56204.htm (have to suspend).

Reason for the LED over T5HO? Heat & power draw. I'd like to light 6' of tank with enough to keep low-tech plants happy without having to run fans for the fixtures and bump the A/C down. I'm also a sucker for shimmer :)

Open to suggestions, unfortunately budget IS an issue. The 6" fixture with the tank has 4 CF, I'll be moving the 2 CF from the current 40long and buying 2 more to fill empty sockets if it comes down to that.

Thanks, in advance
 

dbosman

AC Members
Dec 5, 2010
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East Lansing, MI USA
I'm skeptical of both.
I can't find dimensions listed for the Aqua Panel, but that may be my browser. If the picture is accurate I count 56 or 64 LED emitters. If the panel is 32 watts, I'd have to suspect 64 1/2 watt emitters which will not penetrate and spread enough to properly light a planted tank.

The AquaTraders LED strip is a single bright. It's a fish tank light not a planted tank light.
A Marineland Double Bright will grow plants in a 12" tall tank. The single brights from anyone - might - grow anubias.

The threads on ThePlantedTank.com are using 3 watt emitters which are powerful enough to penetrate to the substrate of your tank.
 

Ryi

Shrimp fear me
Feb 10, 2009
54
0
0
Sunny Florida
Thanks for the input. I think I'll stick with the CF and just run 4 x 96w for now.

I'll wait until things are up and stable, then look at a DIY led array. Following the links at http://********/5717a and using the led calculator at http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz gave me a better understanding of building LED arrays, so that may be a project in the future.

Thanks for the help
 

dbosman

AC Members
Dec 5, 2010
1,481
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East Lansing, MI USA
Here is a picture of my 75g with DIY LEDs. Crude, cheap and effective. The energy savings and not purchasing new PC bulbs/lamps this year, will pay for the fixtures in nine months. As to the blue gravel, my wife picked it and likes it so it's staying.

100_0300 (Custom).JPG
 

dbosman

AC Members
Dec 5, 2010
1,481
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East Lansing, MI USA
Marineland is comic out with an LED lighting system for planted tanks. It's supposed to hit retailers shelves around May this year.
The new http://www.marineland.com/sites/marineland/products/Detail.aspx?id=4653
Aquatic Plant Lighting System uses 1 watt emitters, but fewer than the Double Brights for the same size tank.
So, it is brighter than a single bright but not as bright as a Double Bright. Double Brights will grow plants in 12" to 16" tanks.
The price is great for a fish tank, and not bad at all for a lightly planted low to medium light planted tank. For high light plants or deep tanks, DIY or big $ are the options.
 

Ryi

Shrimp fear me
Feb 10, 2009
54
0
0
Sunny Florida
After your responses and a LOT of forum searching (Hoppy is the man!) I ordered some leds to play with. I'm going to start with my 10 gallon and 40 grow out first before I commit to the big tank. Nice thing, I can recycle/repurpose the smaller builds when it's time to go big.

Thanks for the advice, you saved me from throwing money away on something that wasn't going to fit my needs
 
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