LED LIGHTING HELP!

I want to try nd get into the LED age but i was wondering wats a good light for a ten gallon tank preferably around 50 bucks?
 

sweatervest13

Active Member
LED's come in all kinds of different levels. Some are inexpensive but don't put out a lot of light (PAR). Others are expensive and will grow anything. You want to look for a full spectrum (not just white and blue) light with 3 watt LED's. Maybe a nice Par 38 bulb. IDK how it will do on a 10g. The Par 38 bulb is a single bulb that can be put into a standard light fixture (clip on style). Snakeblitz has one on a 10g and I think it might be a bit too powerful for his tank.
What type of corals were you thinking of keeping? Some of the cheaper fixtures/ lights can keep low light corals.
 
Im lookin to do a starter tank for myself and i have heard ten gallons is not the way to go but if u can do a ten gallon as a beginner u can do anything so i want to stick to the basic corals, eventually i want to put in 2 of the small clowns and at least one anenome with a clean up crew, i just would like some hardy corals that a beginner can learn to take care of, so honestly idk what im lookin for in corals
 

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishyfriend101 http:///t/396284/led-lighting-help#post_3530370
Im lookin to do a starter tank for myself and i have heard ten gallons is not the way to go but if u can do a ten gallon as a beginner u can do anything so i want to stick to the basic corals, eventually i want to put in 2 of the small clowns and at least one anenome with a clean up crew, i just would like some hardy corals that a beginner can learn to take care of, so honestly idk what im lookin for in corals
10g is tough, but can be done. I would be prepared to do weekly 3-5g water changes. You may need a HOB protein skimmer and a large HOB power filter.

Some basic corals would be zoa's, polyps, mushrooms, and soft corals. This site has a store and some good pics and descriptions of corals. Check them out and see what you like.

An anemone is an advance critter, they need high powered lights and require some special care. Most folks will recommend not adding one in a new tank.

Quote:
Does this seem like a good led? The marineland single bright led lighting system?
The marineland single and double bright LED's are not all that good. They can keep low light corals (will not support an anemone) and that is about it.
 

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishyfriend101 http:///t/396284/led-lighting-help#post_3530387
Ohh okay. What kind of lighting should i do then?
That is up to you my friend. Your tank, your choice.

I have a pair of reefbreeder Photon 32's over my 125g tank. They are full spectrum 3 watt LED's that are fully controllable. I am on the fence on how I like them. For viewing they rock, but I don't know if I am getting the best color on my SPS with them. I think the more expensive higher end fixtures ( GHL Mitras, Radion Pro) would be better suited for keeping SPS with good coloring.

You budget will be the biggest factor in what kind of LED's you can get. IF you are just getting some experience with the 10g, you may not want to break the bank for lighting. Especially if you plan on upgrading tanks.

Check out IM Skky lights, ACAN lighting, even a value fixture from reefbreeders. Do some research and see what is out there. Research why LED's are becoming popular, get to know what PAR and PUR means, learn what spectrum the corals like and why. Then, see what LED fixtures are out there.
 

sweatervest13

Active Member
When I say 3 watt LED's, I mean 3 watt diodes or above. So each little individual LED diodes is a 3 watt light. Most cheap LED fixtures use 1 watt or under (.25 watt are real popular). These cheaper fixtures will not support anything other then the low light corals (most will not do a great job at that).

How many lighting treads do you have going here?? I just read a couple asking the same questions. Try to stick to one so other posters don't get confused.
 

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Quote:Originally Posted by fishyfriend101 http:///t/396284/led-lighting-help#post_3530368
I want to try nd get into the LED age but i was wondering wats a good light for a ten gallon tank preferably around 50 bucks?

I use the pig tail 6500k lights from wall mart in those round clip on reflectors. Just place them on an egg crate cover for the tank.
Not the super sexy led type lights but it does seem to work fine.
One tank I even used an old 2 tube incandescent hood. Just screwed in the pig tail bulbs. It actually looked great.
my 02
 
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