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Marineland LED light system and low light plants

12K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  underh2o 
#1 ·
Taking a look at new lighting fixtures and I came across the Marineland LED system

Marineland Single Bright LED Lighting System | LED | PetSolutions

I understand that LED lights cant support plant life but I was wondering since the LEDs are rated at 6000k that some plants can be supported possibly. I am looking to start a planted tank once I get a few extra bucks that I am willing to spend on plants. I was not looking to have a high tech setup but rather just low light plants so I wasnt sure if maybe jave fern, moss, crypts etc could live and grow along with a fert.
 
#2 ·
I am currently using a 36 inch DOUBLE BRIGHT Marineland LED. I wanted to experiment with an inexpensive fixture and lower light plants. (29 gal.) Moss and ferns seem to be doing well after about three months, vals are slow but hanging in there, I do not think the single bright will do the trick. The fixture is good but I am sure they will be getting better in the future. Big Als. had the double bright 36inch for about 89 bucks its higher now but just watch there site and it will be down again!! Ill try and send you a pic. Jack
 
#5 ·
Nor would I, though I have no personal experience with it. Yesterday i happened to see this very fixture over some amphibian tanks in one of my better local stores, and had a discussion with the owner about them. She had a single strip over what was probably a 20g tank, with newts. The light was dim, perfect for the newts, but I couldn't see plants managing, and said as much. You can use two strips, but then you block the entire top of the tank which makes feeding and maintenance awkward. She had some display tanks, nano cubes type, maybe 2-4 gallons with these lights, and the plants (crypts, something else) were doing fine. But of course there is bright store light above them too.

Underh2o mentioned a double bright version, I don't think that was what I saw yesterday.

I know the low wattage is appealing (lowers the electricity use/cost) but if it takes tow 10w to cover the 20g, I would go with two 10w compact fluorescent bulbs in a standard incandescent fixture (as I have over my 10g and 20g tanks) and that is perfect light.

Byron.
 
#7 ·
The only way I would use LEDs is if it was as a supplemental light source... ie. a LED "UFO" plant growth light supplementing a flourescent bulb. Since UFOs sell for about $400, I will not be the first to do it.

If you're concerned about saving the enviroment and cutting the power bill, then just put a fish tank in the window.


http://www.fishtanks.net/fishtank.php?fishtank=2429
 
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