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[Complexity]

Yup, bright light – (CO2, ferts, and lots of plants) = algae. You can try decreasing your photoperiod or raising your lights higher away from the tank to help.

[plantman65]

Good question. I dont see any reason it would be, but before I spent the money I wanted to test the theory on a smaller scale and so far nothing but good results.The growth in 17 days has been pretty good as you can see here.

[SunnyHouTX]

Might be a silly question, but if the wavelength is right, and the lumens are equal, why would LED be worse for a plant than the other options?

That's a good question. I'd like to know this too.

BTW, the only tank that gives me an algae problem is my grow out tank which has a double bright 18" fixture. My BNP is very happy about that.

[Complexity]

Shouldn't be. The main issue, as I understand it, is that the LEDs don't throw the light in all directions like fluorescent bulbs do. A T5 bulb puts out light in all directions which is then bounced back toward the tank via reflectors. This maximizes the amount of light thrown from the bulbs. However, LEDs tend to throw light in a narrow beam. So there's less overlap of light which means there's less light overall. Some bulbs have wider angles which are preferred, but they still don't compare to a full fluorescent bulb.

So the question with LEDs has always been, as best as I've understood it, an issue of not giving sufficient light intensity. Early light fixtures were cost prohibitive. Now light fixtures are starting to come out with reasonable pricing so people are testing them out to determine just how well they work to actually grow the plants and whether the lights promises on paper actually pan out in reality.

[Crude]

Might be a silly question, but if the wavelength is right, and the lumens are equal, why would LED be worse for a plant than the other options?

[plantman65]

Yes and thats my next experiment. Thats will be my Christmas Present to myself lol.

[Complexity]

No, I haven't added any fans. Don't want the noise. My tanks aren't too hot; it would just be nice to have a little less heat. Part of the heat is because I'm using very long photoperiods of 12 hours which allows the heat to build up. It's been that way for years with no ill effects. Still, as a cooler light source develops, I'll consider switching so I can let the tanks run just a big cooler. It helps that I keep my house pretty cool most of the time.

The double brights just might work for a 75g. It depends on the depth penetration of the light and whether you'd want a bright light foreground. I'm not running my CO2 or dosing ferts right now so the double brights would probably work on my 75 as a "low tech" planted. The real question is whether they can handle a full "high tech" planted tank that large.

[SunnyHouTX]

Very nice. I guess if the required light output is there then the plants will grow.

[plantman65]

Complexity Have you tried cooling fans in your canopies? I found a inexpensive way to do the fans, and you dont even have to cut holes in your canopy.

[plantman65]

I have been very suprised with it to. Its the first time I have tried them. I am still a big fan of t5.I wont be convinced on the lED's until I do a 75 gal are bigger with them. I do have to admitt even since these pics were taken it has grown even more and the growth rate seems to be steady. The hairgrass is even putting out runners. I will take more pics tonight.

[SunnyHouTX]

Man those tanks look good! Can't believe that's with single bright LEDs. Very nice!

[Complexity]

Very pretty tanks! I don't need new lights right now, but I've looked forward to when LEDs became mainstream because of the heat factor. I use canopies on my tanks to keep my cats out which traps in the heat. I use T5 bulbs now, but I'm sure LEDs are much cooler. It's good to see the good growth you're getting with them!

[plantman65]

Thought I would add some pics of aquariums I have done in the past.o1 405.jpg15galacrylic.jpg635.JPG

[plantman65]

Thanks complexity. Marineland makes a single bright and double bright here is a link about the lights. I have the 18 to 24 inch single bright fixture. Im going to get the double bright fixture next. http://www.marineandreef.com/Marinel...ngle_s/613.htm

[Complexity]

Wow, nice pearling with a single LED strip!

Do the LED's put out any heat to speak of?