Will this LED light grow plants outside an aquarium?

[Jwilliams0487]

Good Morning.

Does anybody know if this light (photos attached) would provide, even if it's the bare minimum, any benefits to plants outside the aquarium (I've attached pictures).

I'm working on a small project combining hydroponics with an aquarium filter inside a cabinet. I only plan to grow a couple small easy maintenance plants with hope that their roots can benefit the water. Water will be filtered, pass through the plant roots and filtered again before returning to the aquarium.

Water will be constantly flowing past their roots.

The LED light will be situated directly above and will only be used for plants growing above the water line. I'm guessing the LED would be around 10cm+ away from the plants.

The aquarium has its own light.

The Orchid will be removed, it's too big!

Kind Regards

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Does anybody know if this light (photos attached) would provide, even if it's the bare minimum, any benefits to plants outside the aquarium (I've attached pictures).

At 1.8 W? Probably not.

I'm working on a small project combining hydroponics with an aquarium filter inside a cabinet. I only plan to grow a couple small easy maintenance plants with hope that their roots can benefit the water. Water will be filtered, pass through the plant roots and filtered again before returning to the aquarium.

You can just use an IKEA type desk-lamp <"Desk Lamps & Lights">.

cheers Darrel

 

[Jwilliams0487]

Thank you. I'm outside IKEA now! I'll hunt one down. The alternative I have is this (in photo) which is way too large.

Thanks again

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I'm outside IKEA now!

Perfect timing, other than having the misfortune of needing to go into IKEA.

The alternative I have is this (in photo) which is way too large.

It will work fine.

cheers Darrel

 

[Jwilliams0487]

Annoyingly IKEA's Vaxer grow light has been discontinued. Nothing else was powerful enough or designed in a way that would fit the cabinet.

I have three lights at home. I may try the middle one. The largest one is too powerful and none dimmable on the auto setting

 

[Jwilliams0487]

It's "easy to care for" plants such as spathiphyllum and chamaedorea elegant for beginners like myself

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Annoyingly IKEA's Vaxer grow light has been discontinued.

You could use a 10W Flood-light? It doesn't have to be "a grow light". These are IP65 and cost £10 ish <"https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-weyburn-outdoor-led-floodlight-black-10w-1000lm/403pg">.

cheers Darrel

 

[oreo57]

Annoyingly IKEA's Vaxer grow light has been discontinued. Nothing else was powerful enough or designed in a way that would fit the cabinet.

I have three lights at home. I may try the middle one. The largest one is too powerful and none dimmable on the auto setting

Since you are inside a box why not just a led ribbon to the "ceiling"?

You will need to cut it apart and attach wires probably. At least to make it look better..

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ft-led-tape-light-70030.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21901739171&campaignid=21901739171&utm_content=173216760671&adsetid=173216760671&product=70030&store=2911&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA74G9BhAEEiwA8kNfpUJuJldnhXLheTOlEEH27lonR3SglYBgscRC5QEPMgAeLs2GgbLisxoCRTsQAvD_BwE

All sorts of parts out there.. and inexpensive really.


Since I haven't found a 180 type coupler (yet, not looking too hard) you can use a 90 then a 3 (or 6 depending on voltage) led piece then another 90. Build a grid.
The ribbons that run at 12v are cut-able every 3 leds. 24v mostly 6 leds.
https://www.amazon.com/Strip-Connec...cphy=9019191&hvtargid=pla-2281435179538&psc=1

RGB, k temp white, or color tunable white.

 

[Jwilliams0487]

Hi all,

You could use a 10W Flood-light? It doesn't have to be "a grow light". These are IP65 and cost £10 ish <"https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-weyburn-outdoor-led-floodlight-black-10w-1000lm/403pg">.

cheers Darrel

That's not a bad idea 👀. I have my eyes on one of these two. I'm being mindful, the proximity from the light source to the plants is close, don't want to burn them

 

[Jwilliams0487]

Since you are inside a box why not just a led ribbon to the "ceiling"?

You will need to cut it apart and attach wires probably. At least to make it look better..

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ft-led-tape-light-70030.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21901739171&campaignid=21901739171&utm_content=173216760671&adsetid=173216760671&product=70030&store=2911&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA74G9BhAEEiwA8kNfpUJuJldnhXLheTOlEEH27lonR3SglYBgscRC5QEPMgAeLs2GgbLisxoCRTsQAvD_BwE

All sorts of parts out there.. and inexpensive really.


Since I haven't found a 180 type coupler (yet, not looking too hard) you can use a 90 then a 3 (or 6 depending on voltage) led piece then another 90. Build a grid.
The ribbons that run at 12v are cut-able every 3 leds. 24v mostly 6 leds.
https://www.amazon.com/Strip-Connec...cphy=9019191&hvtargid=pla-2281435179538&psc=1

RGB, k temp white, or color tunable white.

I'm limited on space. A <30cm LED strip or a small floodlight would be ideal design wise.

I spent yesterday, and spending this morning learning all I can about lighting when growing plants indoors. Watts, Kelvin, Lumens, Light intensity.

Read briefly about PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation)

Still on going

 

[oreo57]

I'm limited on space. A <30cm LED strip or a small floodlight would be ideal design wise.

I spent yesterday, and spending this morning learning all I can about lighting when growing plants indoors. Watts, Kelvin, Lumens, Light intensity.

Read briefly about PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation)

Still on going

What I was referring to takes little space.
Put them directly on ceiling of box.
Keeping it together ( strips drooping from humidity may be an issue with the wrong quality adhesive) may be a challenge.
Size wise even if one boxes it in with say 1/8" plexiglass it wouldn't take up even 1" of space.
A separate panel or directly in the box, your choice

 

[Jwilliams0487]

What I was referring to takes little space.
Put them directly on ceiling of box.
Keeping it together ( strips drooping from humidity may be an issue with the wrong quality adhesive) may be a challenge.
Size wise even if one boxes it in with say 1/8" plexiglass it wouldn't take up even 1" of space.
A separate panel or directly in the box, your choice

Ah ok I understand. I'm certainly keeping this for a future project. The cabinet I have, the ceiling inside the cupboard would look great with that design. Thanks

 

[Matt_Mitchell]

Hi,
Just wanted to add that I've been using led floodlights for years, even on marine tanks with corals. It is a bit of guess work for power levels, but you'll get there.
Goodluck.

 

[BlazeStar]

If your LED light is a full-spectrum plant grow light, then it can be effective in promoting plant growth. However, if it is a regular aquarium light (blue-biased or for ornamental use only), it may be of limited help for plant growth.