Macro algae and LEDs
- Thread starter ToLearn
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Plantbrain
Active member
I have a pair of Reefing Evolutions 60 Watt LED's over my tank, this will likely change to a pair of 72W fixtures with different bulb combo's.
I have Mangroves and Seagrass, but I'll be adding Macros in the refuge and then SPS on the rock in stages.
They certainly grow plants well, and we have pklenty of experience to show they grow corals and even can bleach them by too much light.
The real issue is the spread and color mixing with the 3 w LED's bulbs, spacing etc...........and distance from the illuminated subject, optics etc.
It's not a simple comparable thing like VHO vs T5, vs PC etc, nor are they comparable to MH's really which have a far better spread, but each type of lighting has a trade off.
They have plenty of warmer colors, I use 6000 and 10000K mixes on the FW plants.
Quite a few options and different set ups one can do.
If you want someone to make you a custom set up with specific color temps and sizes etc, I know a few folks that do it pretty cheaply.
I have Mangroves and Seagrass, but I'll be adding Macros in the refuge and then SPS on the rock in stages.
They certainly grow plants well, and we have pklenty of experience to show they grow corals and even can bleach them by too much light.
The real issue is the spread and color mixing with the 3 w LED's bulbs, spacing etc...........and distance from the illuminated subject, optics etc.
It's not a simple comparable thing like VHO vs T5, vs PC etc, nor are they comparable to MH's really which have a far better spread, but each type of lighting has a trade off.
They have plenty of warmer colors, I use 6000 and 10000K mixes on the FW plants.
Quite a few options and different set ups one can do.
If you want someone to make you a custom set up with specific color temps and sizes etc, I know a few folks that do it pretty cheaply.
vsiege
Member
Plantbrain Yes, I would like to keep you as a reference. In the coming month I will be picking out some macro's and possibly some low light corals. I will eventually have this setup holding seahorses and I would most certainly want to keep the temp under control. May I keep you as a reference?
I was thinking of getting these for a twenty long to grow some macro and single mangrove in a 20 Long http://www.boostled.com/collections/par30-reef/products/par30-reef-lamp-with-lamp-clamp
Will this work? Thanks didnt mean to but in.
Will this work? Thanks didnt mean to but in.
djkms
Fish Freak
I use LED's over my display exclusively. My current system is in my signature and I have had LEDs since it started over a year ago. I have had over 30 different macros in my tank and here are my observations:
LEDs provide plenty of PAR (if you have a decent setup) to grow just about any macro
Reds and Greens grow good with LEDs
Browns struggle growing under LEDs
I have not been able to grow Halymenia with my lights
--
Overall I love the lights and they grow pretty much everything except browns seem to struggle, not positive its a light issue though.
Here is a recent FTS, unfortunately I had some serious nutrient issues over the summer that my system is still recovering from (mainly SPS and chalices suffered).
LEDs provide plenty of PAR (if you have a decent setup) to grow just about any macro
Reds and Greens grow good with LEDs
Browns struggle growing under LEDs
I have not been able to grow Halymenia with my lights
--
Overall I love the lights and they grow pretty much everything except browns seem to struggle, not positive its a light issue though.
Here is a recent FTS, unfortunately I had some serious nutrient issues over the summer that my system is still recovering from (mainly SPS and chalices suffered).
djkms
Fish Freak
If this question was directed at me, I have 3 Aqua Illuminations SOL Blue's mounted 14" AWL with all 40 degree optics.
Water Tecn
New member
lowes and costco have par 38 bulbs anywhere from 3300k to 7000k for like 30 bucks
vsiege
Member
Yes djkms I was asking you..... they look great... a bit out of my budget but obviously something to consider in the future
Water Tecn
Those PAR 38 bulbs will give off a ton of heat .
I was looking for something that was
1. Not too bright so that the seahorses will darken as a result.
2. Able to grow branches, gorgonians and macro's.
3. Has day and night bulbs (with dual cords for timers).
I will repost this info in that section so that keepers will make a suggestion.
Water Tecn
Those PAR 38 bulbs will give off a ton of heat .
I was looking for something that was
1. Not too bright so that the seahorses will darken as a result.
2. Able to grow branches, gorgonians and macro's.
3. Has day and night bulbs (with dual cords for timers).
I will repost this info in that section so that keepers will make a suggestion.
Nano_Cubed
New member
If you are looking for specifics i can point you in teh right directions for LED's
the heat sinks and boards your gonna have to do on yor own.
CREE XPG Cool White LED's between 5000-8300k (perfect for macro) w/ 139lm @ 1500mA
those will work...they are pricey however...you shuoold only need about 10 of them for a fuge. they have 125 degree optics so light spread will be decent.
Thanks for the advice however when you say I "shuoold only need about 10 of them for a fuge" you don't give me a lot of confidence. You have no idea how large my aquarium or fuge are. The fuge for a 15 gallon nano and a fuge for a 400gallon reef tank likely require different lighting schemes.
Is this what bulb you run? How long have you ran them? What macros have you grown under them?
Is this what bulb you run? How long have you ran them? What macros have you grown under them?
I'm gussing this is DIYS and you have no idea what type of LEDs are in it? How long has the cheato been growing and how much?(how often do you have to prune it?)
There are countless hobbyist who never realize they have to prune their macro algae because it hardly grows on them. Just trying to find someone that says they have actively grown macro algae under LEDs for an extended period of time.
So if your thinking or chiming in:
1) How large is your refugium?
2) How large is your display tank?
3) Did you use other lighting before LEDs on your fuge? (how long/type)
4) How long has it been since the LEDs were installed?
5) What type of macros do you keep?
6) How often do you have to prune the macro algae?
I've been growing cheato in my sump with LED's for 16 months. IME the cheato strands are thicker than they were under the 100W equivelant spiral CF bulbs. I can't say that I prune it any more often.
It is in fact DIY and they are cree XP-G's. Feel free to see the picture on page 2.
What are you really trying to figure out? Macro's grow very well under LED light. Buy some and try it. That's the glory of DIY... if you think you need more light... add it.
loyalhero90
New member
I'm still considered a newbie but the Current USA padlight (http://www.current-usa.com/lighting/truelumen-led-padlite) works pretty well for my little macro algae tank. The macroalgae that needs the most light is my scroll algae and it is growing pretty quickly and healthy under the padlight. The light cost around 80 and with another light strip in the end the whole set up was a 100 total. The reason I bought it was because I figured that a cheaper structure in the long wrong would cost a little more with bulb replacements especially since I don't have really good pet stores around my area so shipping cost would kill me.
SantaMonica
Well-known member
If you can choose anything, probably a mix of 90% of 660nm reds and 10% 450nm blues, no-lenses, at a distance of 2-4" from the surface of the macro. LEDs can be 3 watt stars, and can be 2" center-to-center for strong light, and 4" center-to-center for weak light.
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