lighting for macro's

valdees

New member
I would like to know what would be the least expensive LED's to purchase for a 26" wide 28" deep tank that will grow macro's. Not necessarily fast growth, just sufficient. I haven't set-up yet, just looking at cost right now. Anything under $100 ? Reason for LED's will be seahorses and the need for lower temps.
 
Not likely for under $100.

Temperature is not a problem if you use a $7 fan to promote evaporative cooling. I run 500W of MH on a 55G tank. A 12W fan maintains temperature < 75 degrees. The fan runs at the same time as the MH and the tank warms up to 78 degrees when lights are off.
 
Hello? $100?

Why do people in this hobby want to spend so much on products, that are easily accomplished by products that are a fraction of the price?

I grow the you know what out of a HUGE mass of chaeto, in my sump/fuge

Using only clamp on aluminum reflectors

and 100W equivalent CFL bulbs. ONe is 5000K, the other 6500K- no difference.
I par metered my lights. Each one put about 400 PAR at the top of the mass.
I can't give/trade this chaeto away fast enough.

That entire set up new conts less than $25, then a new bulb every 2-3 years for about 2-4$.

Why do people insist on this? Money IS an object to me in this hobby- I guess that's the difference.

It's like people buying Radions- vs. full specturm dimmable LEDs off Ebay/Amazon- again, a fraction of the price.
 
I would like to know what would be the least expensive LED's to purchase for a 26" wide 28" deep tank that will grow macro's. Not necessarily fast growth, just sufficient. I haven't set-up yet, just looking at cost right now. Anything under $100 ? Reason for LED's will be seahorses and the need for lower temps.


If streamline looks are not a priority, then your best bang for the bucks is power compact lighting. A 24W enclosed bulb at 6500 Kelvin can be purchased for less than $10 at Home Depot. I use waterproof pigtails at $4 each. Four of these bulbs would equal 96W of full spectrum lighting. It will grow any macro that you put in there for under $60.
Remember the $7 fan for evaporative cooling.
Patrick
 
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