Ben_K
Member
Hello chaps,
My 220l (55 gal)is in need of some upgrading. I always knew it would be slow progress to get to a decent planted state, but after a few rounds of dying off plants, I believe that I really just haver too little light right now. Unfortunately, I bought my current lighting kit before I'd barely started the set-up and had zero planting knowledge. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I have a mere 38w tube in a Clearseal hood. The light is poorly spread and only 0.7wpg.
As I do not have CO2 yet, I decided to keep the light low to keep the photosynthesis to a minimum. However, as the only thing that surviving seems to be the Anubias Nana (and now some slow growing Vallis), I am sure I have too little light even without the CO2 etc.
Until I upgrade to CO2, I obviously cannot go overboard, but I think I have to do something. So...
I've looked around at a few luminaires but was suggested an Aquabeam LED unit by an LFS. Not being one to get sucked in by a shop's suggestions without research, I took a look about and noticed that George Farmer used them recently. Any thoughts? People seem to refer to them as expensive, however, a double unit costs ~£180 for 2x12w (equivalent of 2x24w), and that seems comparable with the price of an Arcadia luminaire. The downside is that they are still low power; 2x24w should prove me with 0.9wpg. I've also seen Hagen Glo 2x54w luminaire for £104. That seems like a bargain. That would be 1.9wpg. A much better level.
What do you all think? Any suggestions?
My 220l (55 gal)is in need of some upgrading. I always knew it would be slow progress to get to a decent planted state, but after a few rounds of dying off plants, I believe that I really just haver too little light right now. Unfortunately, I bought my current lighting kit before I'd barely started the set-up and had zero planting knowledge. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I have a mere 38w tube in a Clearseal hood. The light is poorly spread and only 0.7wpg.
As I do not have CO2 yet, I decided to keep the light low to keep the photosynthesis to a minimum. However, as the only thing that surviving seems to be the Anubias Nana (and now some slow growing Vallis), I am sure I have too little light even without the CO2 etc.
Until I upgrade to CO2, I obviously cannot go overboard, but I think I have to do something. So...
I've looked around at a few luminaires but was suggested an Aquabeam LED unit by an LFS. Not being one to get sucked in by a shop's suggestions without research, I took a look about and noticed that George Farmer used them recently. Any thoughts? People seem to refer to them as expensive, however, a double unit costs ~£180 for 2x12w (equivalent of 2x24w), and that seems comparable with the price of an Arcadia luminaire. The downside is that they are still low power; 2x24w should prove me with 0.9wpg. I've also seen Hagen Glo 2x54w luminaire for £104. That seems like a bargain. That would be 1.9wpg. A much better level.
What do you all think? Any suggestions?