Leds for fw plants

[shifty51008]

I know this is a sw forum but still thought i would ask.

My dad has a 46 bow aquarium thats 36" long and has a center brace, were looking for a cheap led light that will work for growing low to med light plants. I basically know nothing on led's though as im a mh guy lol. So any ideas would be great, thanks

 

[Kalen]

I know this is a sw forum but still thought i would ask.

My dad has a 46 bow aquarium thats 36" long and has a center brace, were looking for a cheap led light that will work for growing low to med light plants. I basically know nothing on led's though as im a mh guy lol. So any ideas would be great, thanks

I have a 55/90 gal plant tank that has the kessil 150W Amazon Sun on the tank. They are good lights. Not sure what inexpensive is to you I paid $150 each for mine at my lfs. Plants grew really well under the lights along with feeding the plants and fish. That was before I got into saltwater.

Here is a pic of what the 90 gal tank looked at one time.

You maybe able to get away with one if you go that route.

 

[shifty51008]

I love the look of kessels but cost more than he would like to put into lights, he was looking around 50-60 dollar range. I have seen alot of diff fixtures around that range but dont know if any will work.

Thanks for the reply though

 

[BeachBum2012]

I always had good luck with Finnex.

 

[oreo57]

I love the look of kessels but cost more than he would like to put into lights, he was looking around 50-60 dollar range. I have seen alot of diff fixtures around that range but dont know if any will work.

Thanks for the reply though

At that price point and a bowfront you'd be better off going w/ a wider spread
generic fixture such as the Beamswork..
http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Aquarium-Lighting-Beamswork-Pent-HI-Lumen-p/56366p.htm

wider spread than a finnex. About the same depth penetration.

Or this:
90 degree optics push light a bit deeper
http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Aquarium-Lighting-Beamswork-Freshwater-Plant-p/56426p.htm

topdogsellers on ebay has about the same stock, and slightly different pricing.

The 1W or 3W versions (90 degree lenses as opposed to the 120 degree for the .5W fixtures) are typically better for a deeper tank as the bow is.

 

[Fishmommy]

canopy or open top tank?
I have canopies and use AHSupply LEDs for my planteds.

 

[Mike1992]

I'm a big fan of Beamsworks LED lights over my planted aquariums.

This one should work perfect fopr your 36" wide tank
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-36-0-50...-Fish-90-cm-/301198295212?hash=item4620d140ac

I used the 72" version over a planted tank for a little over a year and it did a fantastic job.

 

[raidendex]

If you don't mind DIY. I had 14 xml leds on my planted tank in a simple aluminum U channel for heat sink. Was more than enough to make plants fix with oxygen.

 

[shifty51008]

These are all great ideas and i thankyou, i will talk it over with my das and see what he thinks.

 

[shifty51008]

I should say it is open top with a glass cover, no canopy