LED advice, please

[billg71]

I'm getting fed up with moving T5 strips around whenever I want to get into the tank and I'm coming up on time to replace lamps anyway so I've decided to take the plunge into LED and need advice.

The tank is a 45 cube, inside dimensions 22-3/4x22-3/4 and depth to substrate appr. 16". Lights would be mounted at the top so add another 5" for a distance to the mounting surface of 21".

Would a single GroBeam 1500 provide enough coverage or would I be better served with two of the GroBeam 500 units?

I'm not running CO2 so don't need intense light levels, just comparable to what I have now(four 24w T5 HO in two strips).

Thanks for the feedback!

Best,
Bill

[Carl]

Both the GroBeam 1500 Ultima or two of the 600 strips would provide excellent coverage, with the 1500 providing even more light energy .
Both options would be enough for "high light" plants too

You could also start with just one GroBeam 600 and add another later should you feel you need more light

Another option would be the Mini 400 LED.
While this would not quite provide complete coverage (it is best in a 15 by 15 square), I personally do not think a few shadows look bad, and in fact is natural in many freshwater natural habitats
As well this light would work well for low to medium light plant environments, which from what I read here is all you may need

See also:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

Carl

[billg71]

Thanks, Carl! I have a shopping cart loaded and just a couple more questions:

I currently run my lights with a midday siesta, 5-4-5. This lets me extend viewing time in the evening when I'm most likely to be sitting around and turns the lights on early before I leave for work.

From what I read of the TMC controller manual neither controller accommodates multiple on-off cycles in a single day. Is this correct? If so how would you rig things to provide a siesta period? I read on your product page "• UPS (uninterrupted power supply) feature that maintains information when power is lost" but the TMC website catalog doesn't mention that for the small controller. So could I power the controller through a timer and would the controller resume the power-on state when power is reapplied after interruption? And does the small controller have the "UPS" feature?

Sorry to be such a pest but the TMC website isn't much help and I hate to return things.

Thanks,
Bill

[Carl]

Bill, first I will note that TMCs site is poor for information and often out of date with their own products.
We provide vastly more information about their products on our webpages, this includes the controllers (including a video)

As per our website, both controllers have the UPS feature/function
• UPS (uninterrupted power supply) feature that maintains information when power is lost

The problem is with multiple on/off cycles per 24 hour period.
If you used a light with two leads (the 1500 or two 600s), you could put these on separate "channels" on the controller with one going on for one period and the other channel on for another period. However this option only allows for you to use half your lights for any given time as per what you would like.

SO MY SUGGESTION is what I did for my many clients when I ran an aquarium maintenance company and that is to use a simple grounded household timer that allows for multiple on/offs per 24 hour period.

BTW, based on my experience with my many maintenance clients, your request is very common, as I had many clients who desired that their lights be on when up getting ready to go off to work and then be back on for them to enjoy and relax with in the evening.

Carl

[billg71]

Great, Carl, thanks tons! I figured that would work, just wanted to make sure.

Off to the AAP site to fill up the cart again, it timed out while I was pondering options.

Think I'll go with two of the 600s and the 2-channel controller, should get better coverage and gives me some options for varying intensity front-back.

Thanks again, will be looking for a package next week!

Best,
Bill

[billg71]

Carl,

Got the GroBeams installed, they work great!

Had to fiddle with the hood some and cut the supplied brackets into pieces because I needed more distance between the two fixtures but the lighting is just beautiful!.

Mounting setup:



Tried to get a picture of the tank with the lights on but iPhone just isn't up to it. Have to drag out the big camera and the tripod, will try to post something tomorrow.

Controller is really nice, too. Have it set to ramp up and down, max at 80% on the rear fixture 100% on the front. I've been having algae issues so I hope I can dial in intensities that'll keep the plants happy and the algae not so.

Haven't mounted the Mini yet but I did unbox the MountaRay bracket and play with it a little, it needs some modification to fit the Fluval 8-gal and I'm not sure I'll end up using it, it's way bigger than I thought(Imperial dimensions on the specs would have been helpful) and puts the light very high over the tank and almost all the way out to the front. I think I'll probably end up knocking something together instead of using it.

Everything's great, thanks for the quick shipment!

Best,
Bill

[Carl]

Very professional mounting (not that I am surprised )

I have a question, as per your suggestion
We have this from the web site as per the MountaRay Single Dimensions:

• Each MountaRay has an over-hang of 5.75" (146 mm);

This equals 11.25" with the 5.5" Mini 400 or 500

How can we improve this?

Carl

[billg71]

Apr 8, 2013 18:47:45 GMT -5 Carl said:

Very professional mounting (not that I am surprised )

I have a question, as per your suggestion
We have this from the web site as per the MountaRay Single Dimensions:

• Each MountaRay has an over-hang of 5.75" (146 mm);

This equals 11.25" with the 5.5" Mini 400 or 500

How can we improve this?

Carl

Carl,

Maybe a photo with actual dimensions Photoshopped in or a drawing? Or even better an actual photo of the light mounted on a small tank of known dimensions?

To be honest, I totally missed your info on the web description even though it's the first bullet point, there's just so much info and it's only a single sentence. And even though you clearly state the dimensions of the light I just never put 5.5 + 5.75 together to figure out the front of the light would be almost at the front of the Nano tank(11.75" square). Also, you specify a 15x15" beam spread but at what height is that measured?

So I'll knock something together and play around with it a little, center the light over the tank and experiment with the height. hey, maybe we can come up with a custom bracket for the Nano tank and market it?

All that aside, I love the fixtures more and more as time passes. Color rendition is great and I love the shimmer. I had set the front fixture to a minimum of 5% for "moonlight" but dropped it to 2% this morning, it was just too much night light.

As promised, here's a photo:



Lights are set at 80% rear, 90% front, mounted on 8" centers over a 24x24" tank, around 20" above the substrate.

All in all, I'm one really happy customer! ;D Honestly, I had doubts about spending that much money just to light an aquarium but not now, everything looks so much better than under the T5HO lamps and I don't have to replace tubes every 6 months.

Thanks so much for the time, effort and especially the honesty you put into the info on your site! It's easy to tell you don't market products you wouldn't use, and that's especially refreshing in this day and age.

Thanks again for your help,
Bill

[Carl]

Wow, your tank is really nice!

Do you mind if I share this one with others?

Maybe a photo with actual dimensions Photoshopped in or a drawing? Or even better an actual photo of the light mounted on a small tank of known dimensions?

This is a good idea. I will get Steven to mount one on a 10 gallon, since this is an aquarium most are familiar with

Admittedly we do have kind of an information over load on the LED selling page, but we want to provide as much as possible.
Although of late, when we add something more (often from suggestions), we often take something off.

Carl

[billg71]

Carl,

Help yourself to the photo. After all you've done to help me with the tank it's the least I can do.

Thanks a million for all the time and effort you put into the site and all the info you share with all of us!

Best,
Bill

[parker002]

Apr 9, 2013 18:42:47 GMT -5 billg71 said:

center the light over the tank and experiment with the height

This is ultimately what I had to do. I ended up using nylon spacers (wrapped in electrical tape to create a more finished look and to prevent slippage) and adding them 1 by 1 until I had the right dispersion.



I love your tank setup, that picture is awesome.

But be prepared. That looks like wisteria or water sprite planted in the background. With the GroBeams, either of those will take over your tank in just a few weeks.

[babygeige]

Wow, the tank looks amazing!

[rusalka]

billg71, you have such a beautiful tank! What kind of black gravel you use?

I also have a question to Carl about LED light. Since I don't want to multiply similar topics and my question is really fast I'll ask here. I'm going to replace broken light in my Eclipse 2 hood. Somebody recommended me these:
Innovative Marine Skkye Light Single Strip 18 Inch 9 Watt 10,000K LED Fixture
www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idproduct=0I10230&idCartRow=53099876&isKit=0&child=0I10252

Will it be enough for freshwater 20 Gal for growing various types of plants?

[Carl]

To be bluntly honest, these are pure junk, as well these are intended for marine tanks, not freshwater plants

These are a variation of this, the Skye LED reviewed here:
aquariumopinions.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/taotronics-skyled-led-light-reviews/

Simply put, you would do about as well taping together a bunch LED flashlights you purchased at Home Depot

I strongly recommend you read these articles to understand, because along with UV Sterilizers, the Aquarium LED industry is full of dishonest sharks selling junk as if equipment that can work as stated

*Aquarium Lighting Facts & Information
*Aquarium LED Lights
*GroBeam Review

I recommend the GroBeam if you desire a LED that really works for what it is intended (Parker here at EA has these and can also vouch)

Carl

[rusalka]

Thank you, Carl. I'm reading the articles. Good that I asked you before investing in this light.
The only problem I preview with another light is that it has to be retrofitted in restricted space inside Eclipse 2 hood and it needs to have a cover from water. I wonder if GroBeam has some kind of protection?

[Carl]

The GroBeam has an acrylic cover as you can see from the pictures in this thread

However ANY LED since they use drivers/circuitry to control the voltage over the emitters, is they need good cross ventilation

See:
aquarium-digest.com/2011/03/03/aquarium-led-light-installation-options/#venting

Regards;
Carl

[rusalka]

If I understood correct from the descriptions, the optimum choice for me (I want to retrofit a single strip light into Eclipse 2 hood) is GroBeam 600 ULTIMA.
I will have to make holes in the hood lid for ventilation and attach somehow the new light to the lid, which is thin plastic...
I have 20 Gal, 16" tall, so GroBeam 600 ULTIMA will be enough, won't it?

I also read that there should be at least 2-4" distance from the water in covered tank and much bigger distance in an uncovered... I'm just curious, why such a difference?

[rusalka]

Carl, what is your opinion of this light:
Marineland Aquatic Plant LED Light with Timer
www.amazon.com/dp/B0085TVE76/ref=asc_df_B0085TVE762543735?smid=A1ER1F3RGQU4NR&tag=sdcbing596-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B0085TVE76

Marineland sent me one as a replacement when my Eclipse 2 light broke. I used it as a temporary solution but I didn't have enough time to check its performance as I started treating the tank with Furan2 and all my plants died.
This light can't be retrofitted into the hood, so I moved it for now to a new 30 Gal, that I put up yesterday. I plan to have 4–5 goldfish in there with some plants that they won't eat .
I can say that this light goes in depth pretty well (through 16" water depth), but, of cause, doesn't cover 30" long tank, as the light itself is only 17" long. But it gives a pretty bright middle of the tank (where I'm planning to have plants) and more shadowed corners. I don't really plan to have a lot of plants with goldfish, just some in the middle.

Another question, the blue (night light) of this fixture is pure decoration, isn't it? I mean, it doesn't have any effect on plants and algae?

[saw]

Rusalka,

Yes, one of the GroBeam 600 Fixtures would be enough for a 20 gallon aquarium.

Humidity/Moisture damage can also occur from direct placement on glass lids; however placing any “high end” LED on wood, plastic, or any other type of spacer that provides at least 2 inches of space generally prevents moisture/humidity damage from occurring.

The reason is not that the water/moisture “magically” passes through the glass or acrylic lid, rather it is the heat generated by the light that causes condensation on top of the lid that in turn can damage your LED Light Circuitry.
By providing 2 inches of space, this generally does not allow for moisture damage due to condensation.

More information on ventilationaquarium-digest.com/2011/03/03/aquarium-led-light-installation-options/#venting

As far as the marineland fixture, this would be comparable to a T-8 bulb and is good for nothing more then low- some medium light required plants.

Here is Carls review on the Marinland aquarium-digest.com/2010/06/30/led-light-review-tmc-xg-1500-maxspect-more/#doublebright

Blue does not have a huge direct effect on the plants, if you have a lot of blue lighting it can make your plants more compact and bushy. It does have a effect on the algae growth witch can indirectly kill your plants over time due to starving your plants from proper nutrients (if not taken care of). The more blue light you have on a fresh water the more algae production you will have.

Here is a article that explains this americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumPlants.html#algae

Thanks, Steven

[Carl]

This article addresses the use of Blue Lights on Plants:

Aquarium Plant Care

Such as this point:
"It is noteworthy that strong blue light will cause plant growth to be more compact and bushy and will also tend to promote algae growth. So for the best plant growth with the lowest green algae growth, it is best to balance 2/3 red to 1/3 blue light emissions."

Carl