Plant-capable LED lights without breaking the bank?

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Cksnffr

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Aug 5, 2013
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I'm looking for some lighting to replace the old-school single bulb above my 55-gallon (48x13) tank. I don't need to grow a forest in there, but it would be nice to grow "moderate light" plants and make this the last upgrade for a while.

I know about the marineland plant-capable LED unit, but it gets mixed reviews and is pretty spendy for 48 inches. I see lots of second-tier brands on Amazon like this:

http://amzn.com/B008K3DO9I

Are these just junk? To narrow it down, let's say I want a 48" LED setup with some kind of moon/night option, moderate-light plant ability, and a price under $200. Impossible?
 
tanker

tanker

Josh Holloway--Be mine!!!
Sep 1, 2003
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Jessica
Are you handy?? My first lights was a duel bulb shop light my husband built with things from Home Depot. His friend came over one weekend and together they built a canapy for my 100gal. Was not too expensive, and they built it real quick (I think only about an hours work). Just took a few days for the paint to dry.
 
FreshyFresh

FreshyFresh

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Jan 11, 2013
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Joel
If cost is the concern, you can get a twin tube, fluorescent 48" T5HO, with 6500K lamps included, shipped to your door for ~$60. Google Odyssea 48" T5HO.
 
jpappy789

jpappy789

Plants need meat too
Feb 18, 2007
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Josh
I'd look into the Finnex line. The Ray2 is the more powerful one, so likely too much light for what you are looking for...a Fugeray might be ok with that depth, would put you probably under 50 PAR, which is closer to "medium" light.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=189944
 
authmal

authmal

Pseudonovice
Aug 4, 2011
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Current USA Satellite+ LED should fit your needs, as well. Unlike the T5HO fixture, it has a variety of lighting options, including a night option.
 
jpappy789

jpappy789

Plants need meat too
Feb 18, 2007
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Love my LED+ so far, but at 12" from the fixture you supposedly get 36 PAR which is closer to low, low-medium lighting. With a deeper tank anything at or near the substrate would have to be something with low lighting demands.
 
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