LED Lighting Questions

[enine]

I recently purchased from AAP the Aquaray mini 400 led tile for my daughters 10gal planted FW tank and have been blown away by the growth that I have seen in this tank over just the last 2 months that I have had it. Now it is time to upgrade the lighting on my 55gal community rainbow tank. The dilemma I am having is weather I should buy 4 grobeam 500's or 2 grobeam 1000. They are relatively close in price but the 1000's have more watts and seem to be the better light but I am wondering if the coverage across the tank would be as uniform as having the 4 grobeam 500's. I plan on hanging both of them above the tank using the suspension kit and aquaray mounting system. Any help with a comparison of the pro and cons of each set up would be very helpful.

Thanks!

[goldenpuon]

Hello enine. First welcome to Everything-Aquatic! I am glad you have had success with the lights you bought. Unfortunately, I am more knowledgeable about fish species than aquarium lights, but I'm sure others will be able to help.

Renee

[babygeige]

Hi enine! Carl is the big lighting expert around here. He has a lot of information on his website.
Here's his article on lighting: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

[parker002]

I have 2 GroBeam 1000's on my 55G tank. The lighting is beautiful and the plant growth rates are off the charts (I sold a 5G bucket full of crypts to the LFS the other day and my tank is till nearly full).

I struggled with many of the same questions you did and I'm very happy with my decision.

Here's a thread with pictures that shows how I mounted them:

everythingaquatic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=filters&action=display&thread=3111

[Carl]

I think you already have an understanding of the benefits of each.

The four GroBeam 500 Strips would have more uniform coverage, however less overall concentrated useful light energy.

Based on your tank size (not to mention Parkers noted experience), I would suggest two GroBeam 1000s.

Carl

[enine]

Thanks for all the updates and link's I guess I just wanted someone to kind of cement the idea I already had. Carl all of your posts and articles were very helpful and detailed. I am going to be purchasing the two grobeam 1000's and mounting system in the next few days. I am sure I am going to see even better growth from the 1000 compaired to the 400 tile I have on my 10 gal. One other question that I was thinking about is with all this extra growth should I ramp up the fertilizer feedings for the plants or just stick to the 1 time a week as the products say to do?

[Carl]

Sept 3, 2012 10:40:08 GMT -5 enine said:

One other question that I was thinking about is with all this extra growth should I ramp up the fertilizer feedings for the plants or just stick to the 1 time a week as the products say to do?

If you see any rough deposits on the leaves, which is known as biogenic decalcification, then more CO2 would be necessary.

Watch for color changes that may also indicate lack of "ferts".

However, often I have found that the "missing ingredient" in a planted aquarium well stocked with fish is the lighting and little more is needed.

See also:
Aquarium Plants

Carl

[parker002]

Sept 3, 2012 10:40:08 GMT -5 enine said:

Thanks for all the updates and link's I guess I just wanted someone to kind of cement the idea I already had. Carl all of your posts and articles were very helpful and detailed. I am going to be purchasing the two grobeam 1000's and mounting system in the next few days. I am sure I am going to see even better growth from the 1000 compaired to the 400 tile I have on my 10 gal. One other question that I was thinking about is with all this extra growth should I ramp up the fertilizer feedings for the plants or just stick to the 1 time a week as the products say to do?

Use CO2 and dose ferts at your own risk!

In all seriousness, after getting the GB 1000's, I quit using CO2 injection and ultimately stopped dosing PPS as well.

Why? Because my plants were completely out of control. It got to the point where my fish had no place to swim!