Author Topic: Lighting (Read 13863 times) 17 replies

robbnot · « **on:** November 28, 2019, 06:26:02 PM »

Hallo, I've got a six foot tank coming and I'm thinking about lighting,
LED's or fluorescent.

?
Advice and tips sought
Thanks

Sue · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2019, 06:56:19 PM »

Do you plan on having live plants? If you do it will influence your choice. Plants need lights with both red and blue light in the spectrum, and a lot of LEDs have only white or white and blue. Whichever type you go for, look for the spectrum, usually a chart showing which colours the light has, you would need one with a peak in red and blue with a hump between them. Or a K rating of around 7000.
If you don't intend live plants, then the spectrum doesn't matter.

LEDs use less electricity than fluorescent, and don't need to be replaced every year - the output of fluorescent tubes drops significantly after 12 months. But LEDs cost a lot more to buy.

Littlefish · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2019, 07:22:06 PM »

I've ended up moving all my tanks that came with fluorescent lights over to LEDs.
Yes, they cost more, but if you have live plants, and can afford to buy LEDs, I'd suggest that you go with them.

Matt · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2019, 07:59:18 PM »

Leds are also a lot safer as most are now waterproof to a degree. Enough certainly to survive a quick dunking in the tank as I have nmistakenly managed to do a few times now.

Leds also facilitate the use of a ramp timer so that they can be brought on slowly and gently so as to not startle the fish and mimic a more natural lighting cycle.

Another LED fan here... that reminds me... they don't get as hot...

Sue · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2019, 08:04:11 PM »

One thing to check @robbnot - will the tank have light fixtures built into the hood?

Older tanks had fluorescent fittings built into the hood, though it is possible to replace them with LED tubes.
My custom built tank had no electrical fittings in the lid, just plastic clips to hold tubes in place and external ballast for fluorescent tubes.
Brand new tanks might well have some type of LED built in, and with some makes they may not be easy to change.

Sue · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2019, 05:26:31 PM »

Does the packaging show a spectrum? Or the packaging/light itself give a K rating?

Littlefish · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2019, 06:07:28 PM »

The lights are described as full spectrum, and should be fine for plants.
The specifications for the light are further down the page, so I've copied them - K rating included:
- Case Material: Aluminium
- LED Type: 5730 SMD
- LEDs : 12*Red + 6*Green + 44*Blue + 91White
- Lumen : 1731
- Power: 39W
- Color temperature(K) : 18500

Sue · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2019, 06:43:23 PM »

18500 K is not good for plants. That is more like the actinic light spectrum used in marine tanks. You need something around 7000K. But, the link shows it in 2 modes, all blue or with blue red and green. I can only assume that the all blue setting is the 18500K, while the mixed colours will be a lower K rating. Use it only in the mixed colour setting, never all blue.
Plants need red, green and blue light. Blue only does not allow them to function properly. There must be some red in the light.

It also seems quite bright, so make sure there are floating plants in the tank to protect the fish from over-bright lights.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2019, 09:53:39 PM »

Quote from: robbnot on November 28, 2019, 06:26:02 PM

Hallo, I've got a six foot tank coming and I'm thinking about lighting, LED's or fluorescent.? Advice and tips sought Thanks

Hi @robbnot

You've got me on one of my favourite topics. I have designed aquarium lighting in the past. You can eliminate fluorescent lighting immediately. LED lighting allows you to select the optimum spectrum that matches the needs of plants. Please see the attached spectrum. LED lighting is controllable - by which I mean not just intensity but control of spectrum. And, LED lighting is energy-efficient. Lots of light and little heat. Just the way Edison would have liked it!

If you want the best lighting for planted tanks, it is best to stick with those manufacturers who specialize in this aspect of aquatics. The trouble is that all the big name aquatics companies have jumped on the bandwagon as there's lots of money to be made here.

More to follow...

BTW, welcome to Think Fish!

JPC

jaypeecee · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2019, 03:08:11 PM »

Where have you gone, @robbnot?

Are you still looking for aquarium lighting?

JPC

jaypeecee · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2019, 03:30:10 PM »

Quote from: fishtales on December 17, 2019, 05:53:54 PM

Here's a link to the light I bought

Super Bright LED Aquarium Light

Hi @fishtales

There's not a lot wrong with the above light. The main problem that I could foresee is that it doesn't appear to be dimmable. But, a few strategically-placed floating plants may well solve that!

JPC

jaypeecee · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2019, 03:40:23 PM »

Quote from: fishtales on December 17, 2019, 10:17:38 PM

Hopefully this info along with info on the best type of leds to get in this thread by other members, will help fish keepers on both ends of the plant keeping spectrum.

Hi @fishtales

My italics above. Your choice of word here is entirely appropriate!

JPC

Matt · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2019, 08:51:01 PM »

You'd be able to dim them with something like this...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NICREW-Aquarium-ClassicLED-Standard-Connectors/dp/B07X23FZS2/

The product also has other functions but your unlikely to find something cheaper than this to be fair and it has different cables for the different lighting connections which is handy.

robbnot · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2019, 08:55:22 PM »

Quote from: jaypeecee on December 18, 2019, 03:08:11 PM

Where have you gone, @robbnot?

Are you still looking for aquarium lighting?

JPC

Hallo, I'm still here, I just don't go on line much,. Sorry if it seems like I'm gone, I'm not I'm here

Thanks for all the replies, they're very helpful, haha I think 🤔. I'm liking the LED option...
My new big tank is coming in January, and I'll be setting it up probably according to my wallet,
Its going to be home for my ruby/rainbow shark, a sailfin plec, and some angels. And lots of planting, I may add more fish at a later date, but essentially its the sharks house, I'm getting it for him..

So lighting for fish and plants and timers etc for a more calm on off experience, and anything to do with lighting a big tank
Thanks

Matt · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2019, 04:59:38 AM »

Definately worth looking into weight... I seem to recall getting myself comfortable nothing special is required for a tank of up to 250litres or so, given reasonably modern house etc but your six foot system may well be much more than this...

Matt · « **Reply #15 on:** January 22, 2020, 08:59:53 PM »

Yes this is fairly normal for plant growth bulbs.

robbnot · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2020, 10:17:35 PM »

Quote from: Matt on December 19, 2019, 04:59:38 AM

Definately worth looking into weight... I seem to recall getting myself comfortable nothing special is required for a tank of up to 250litres or so, given reasonably modern house etc but your six foot system may well be much more than this...

Yeah I've done the maths and it's (apx) 750 kilo"s with all the stand and extras,
¾ of a ton.. I live on the 2nd floor in a new build, of block and beam construction.
Thanks though, and now I'm definitely going to email the buders
Haha

fcmf · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2020, 04:36:20 PM »

Yes, @robbnot, contacting the builders is worth doing, plus a structural engineer who ought (and is probably the only professional qualified to do so) to be able to give a definitive answer to your question.
Let us know how you get on.

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Author Topic: Lighting (Read 13863 times) 17 replies

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