Hi All,
Looking for some advice/help on the above.
The aquarium is 65cm (depth) x 40cm (width) x 120 cm (length) = 312L. I currently run a 54w plant pro (T8) light for 9 hours, and 2 x 54w (T5's) = Juwel Day light and I-quatics Tropical light for 8 hours. The T8 coming on 30mins either side of the T5's going on and off. All 3 tubes have a reflector for higher light output. Very broadly thats 3 x 54w lights plus 3 x 54w with reflectors (assuming they double the light output) = circa. 300w
I have the Co2 coming on an hour before the lights and off an hour before, the plants vary from low light Java and Anubias to red ludwigia, Amazon Swords and foregrounds - Sag Subutala. I dose ferts - DIY, Macro and Micro weekly, with 20% water change a week.
I'd like to move to LED lighting (more cost effective, especially now!).
The questions:
Thanks
Smithie
Looking for some advice/help on the above.
The aquarium is 65cm (depth) x 40cm (width) x 120 cm (length) = 312L. I currently run a 54w plant pro (T8) light for 9 hours, and 2 x 54w (T5's) = Juwel Day light and I-quatics Tropical light for 8 hours. The T8 coming on 30mins either side of the T5's going on and off. All 3 tubes have a reflector for higher light output. Very broadly thats 3 x 54w lights plus 3 x 54w with reflectors (assuming they double the light output) = circa. 300w
I have the Co2 coming on an hour before the lights and off an hour before, the plants vary from low light Java and Anubias to red ludwigia, Amazon Swords and foregrounds - Sag Subutala. I dose ferts - DIY, Macro and Micro weekly, with 20% water change a week.
I'd like to move to LED lighting (more cost effective, especially now!).
The questions:
- I looked at retro fit LED tubes - Aquarium systems T5 retro fit, there is a Freshwater pro but its rated as 8000K, general research mentions around 6,500K, would such high K's casuse algae issues?
- Should I also have the T5 Led Original Tropical running? Are two LED retro fits enough with 3 being overkill? They all mention a lot more output than T5's ("double the output") or is this just sales blurb?
- The big question, will I have issues with the light depth with retrofit LED's as I'm struggling to find info on this.
- Lastly is there a good, economical alternative e.g. one strip light that can replace these tubes, meets the depth requirements and is reliable in someones view? I've seen a lot of products which people complain about after a few months.. I like the idea of a dimmable LED not only better for the fish but looks nice!
Thanks
Smithie
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