I am not understanding LED lighting

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truenoob

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I am trying to adapt to the new. So I keep looking into LED lighting. I still dont understand how to choose a fixture. I dont know how to apply the WPG rule. I read that you dont, you just get what you pay for... then i read you can, but i dont see how. I just want a good lighting fixture for my 28g bowfront. I plan to keep plants from this page http://www.aquariumplants.com/Specialty_Plants_s/31.htm. pretty much the medium/high lighting range.
 

huapala

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WPG rule is only effective for estimating lighting needs when dealing with bulbs. LED are diods and most fixture will have a PAR (photosythitically active radiation) rating on them. You will see the PAR readind in correlation to height of fixture and tank. I use a Current Sattelite Plus (18w 6,500k) on a tank with an 18 inch height and can still grow high light requirment plants like camboba. The CS+ has a PAR rating of 36 micro mol at a height of 12inches. This fixture is at the very low end of PAR output but it works perfect for low tech tanks. Decide what you want to do with your tank, the size of tank is not the only consideration.
Try ask yourself:
1) WHAT PLANTS SPECIES DO I WANT?
2) WHERE DO I SEE MY TANK IN 5 MONTHS?
3) DO I WANT HIGH TECH OR LOW TECH?
4) HOW MUCH TIME DO I WANT TO SPEND WITH MAINTANENCE?

Thats not all you want to ask yourself but something to get you started.

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FreshyFresh

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Huapala is right on.

Basically if the pre-made/store bought LED fixture doesn't say it's intended for growing and maintaining freshwater plants, it's not.
 

truenoob

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I would like to have med-high light plants. not too worried about how often I have to care for it. The tank will be at my girlfriends house that I can visit at any time, and if I am deployed somewhere she can care for it. What would you reccomend for lighting? From what I have read, all I know is I need 10k for the plants I want.
But i have a hard time finding the right light in 10k and i have noticed a lot of people use 6500k.
I would like something like this
http://www.marineandreef.com/Current_USA_Satellite_LED_Plus_Light_24_36_p/rcu04006.htm
or
http://www.bigalspets.com/aquatic-p...son+Shopping&gclid=CNyK8IOJursCFUsV7Aod7h8APg
would that work for what i want to acheive?
 
Last edited:

FishFanMan

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I'm no expert in LED lighting but you want a light that emits the wavelengths that plants need to thrive. Blue (460 nm) and red (640 nm) are important to have. So you want a grow light (multiple/full spectrum) LED light for your plants and a K value that closely matches natural light to enable the colors of the plants and fish to look their best.

Having said that though, I have had just "white" LED light (10K) that grew plants ok too. I currently have the Fluval P24 Aqualife & Plant LED light. This is a low end grow light but my tank is low tech so it's fine for that. If cost is not a factor, you might want to look for grow light LED that uses 3 watt diodes that will probably give you high PAR value at the substrate depth.
 

Xev11

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Either of those lights will give you low light. If you truly want med/high lights with frequent trimming (weekly for stems), then you need something like a Finnex Ray2. You may need 2 actually. They are readily available on amazon and other online retailers.
I dont know if linking to other forums is allowed here, but I have found this resource extremely helpful: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184368

For med/high you will need about 40-60 par at a few inches above substrate, depending on the specific plants you will have.

For plants, 6500K is actually prefered, but anything between 6500k and 10000k is fine. 10k will be a slightly more blue(pure) white.

The forum i linked you to has an extremely thorough lighting section with people who specialize in it. So they can give you the specific lights for your desired plants.
 

truenoob

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Either of those lights will give you low light. If you truly want med/high lights with frequent trimming (weekly for stems), then you need something like a Finnex Ray2. You may need 2 actually. They are readily available on amazon and other online retailers.
I dont know if linking to other forums is allowed here, but I have found this resource extremely helpful: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184368

For med/high you will need about 40-60 par at a few inches above substrate, depending on the specific plants you will have.

For plants, 6500K is actually prefered, but anything between 6500k and 10000k is fine. 10k will be a slightly more blue(pure) white.

The forum i linked you to has an extremely thorough lighting section with people who specialize in it. So they can give you the specific lights for your desired plants.
so 2 of these? http://www.aquavibrant.com/finnex-ray-ii-ultra-slim-led-ds-dual-7000k.html thats quite expensive

would this suffice ?

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Dutch_Planted_6300K_p/lbdp.htm

so much $ though ouch
 

FishFanMan

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Aren't they close in price?
 

truenoob

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Aren't they close in price?
they are, but if I am going to have to spend that kind of money, I would rather get something that is in the 6300k to 6500 range. I want reds and greens. Lush and vibrant in color. The finnex doesnt come in anything lower than 7000 as far as I am aware. I would go with the finnex had I only needed 1.
 

huapala

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thanks freshy. The finnex ray 2 has a PAR output of 76 micro mol on the substrate at 12 inches away. This will make the plants grow faster, but you may need the addition of compressed CO2 to avoid algae blooms and plus you will need to prune and trim a lot more. IMO you should go low tech for three reasons. 1) high tech tanks change so quick you always have upkeep issues 2) the tank will be at your GF's house so it might not be the only thing that receives your attention when you are next to it 3) low tech look a lot better than you think. Check out jpappy's thread. His tanks are beautiful, low tech and he uses the sam CS+ fixture as i do (18w full spectrum + color effects, $84 on amazon) http://www.aquariacentral.com/forum...planted-20-gallon-long-quot-build-quot-thread

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