LED lighting for 75 gal tank

[Malvos]

I'm looking for a pretty basic LED lighting system for my tropical tank (not planted).  It's in the basement so I wanted one with a timer for the days I'm not down there except to feed.  Is it better to have a unit with a built in timer or should I just run it off a wall timer?  Right now I have two fluorescent hoods that do not work with the mechanical wall timers I have in the house.  The tank is a 75 gallon, so 48 inches wide.

[bitterman]

If you want a light that does everything I'd look at these. They are a few $$$ though

http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/satellite-led-fixtures/satellite-led-pro/

I want one form my Gibberosa tank.

Bruce

[Mike L]

Why don't  the lights work with a walls timer. Are they not equipped  with starters. To save money u could get a fixture from hd and install fish bulbs but in the end the cost of constant bulb replacement will negate any savings.

[wolfiewill]

For a fish only tank get the cheapest LED you can buy. As for timers, these are terrific:

http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium-supplies/c5813/c378019564/p17688549.html

[Malvos]

So something like this would be overkill?  It seems to have what I need but if the same can be accomplished much cheaper I'm all for it.

http://www.petsmart.ca/fish/lights/national-geographic-trade-deluxe-programmable-led-aquarium-light-zid36-21386/cat-36-catid-300073

[lucius]

Pets and Ponds has a sale going on right now.

http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium-supplies/c5813/c231289/p17690188.html

[exv152]

I've read some not so good reviews on the national geographic LEDs. Here's one http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/10-lighting/641130-national-geographic-led-light-review.html.

For the price I'd look as something like this instead http://www.jlaquatics.com/current-usa-satellite-led-light-fixture-48-60-inch.html, it's got 96 white and 48 RGB LEDs which will display your fish colours better. The national geographic appears to be all white diodes.

[Malvos]

Thanks, yeah I've read some of those less than glowing reviews as well.  I was also looking at the Current USA solutions and that one does look really good except for the lack of timers, you still need to manually use the remote.  Now, I do have a Logitech Smart hub in the basement near the tank which I may be able to program to control the lights on a schedule.

The ideal product (except for the price) to me would be the Current USA Orbit Pro, which has the timer and the dynamic programs.  I think I saw it for $230 plus shipping at one point but forgot to save the site.  If I had to choose between the fancy colour programs and the timer function though I would rather have the timer since I don't see myself playing with the remotes too much, although my nephew would love it.

[wolfiewill]

Try the Marineland LEDs. They are way cheaper, especially if you buy online. The single bright won't grow plants but for fish only they would be fine. Try Amazon.ca for example.

[bitterman]

http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/satellite-led-fixtures/satellite-led-pro/

"24 hour on/off time with a 15 minute ramp up (sunrise) and dim down (sunset)"

Bruce

[Malvos]

Yes, if money were no object I would probably go with something like that, but if I can get a cheaper light like this one and pair it with a timer that would be fine.

http://www.bigalspets.ca/satellite-freshwater-led-lighting-system-48-to-60.html

Or this one: http://www.bigalspets.ca/advanced-led-strip-light-36-to-48.html - under $200 with dual timer, does anyone have experience with this style? Would there be dark spots at the edges of the tank since it would be at the high range for this light?

[Mike L]

 You might also want to wait until the next Kens fish order . It would be quite a bit cheaper

[Jeff1192]

If you want a light that does everything I'd look at these. They are a few $$$ though

http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/satellite-led-fixtures/satellite-led-pro/

I want one form my Gibberosa tank.

Bruce

I recently picked this light up for my cichlid tank and it's amazing. I absolutely love it and think it does an amazing job of allowing you to really bring out the best colours of your fish!

[sanny]

I just sold my 48"-60" current usa light fixture with multiple colors and comes with a remote for $100 :O Im all about the plants now so I wasnt in need of it anymore. Search kijiji, ive seen some go for $100...

[Malvos]

I just sold my 48"-60" current usa light fixture with multiple colors and comes with a remote for $100 :O Im all about the plants now so I wasnt in need of it anymore. Search kijiji, ive seen some go for $100...

That would have been perfect!  I did try Kijiji and there weren't any at the time I was looking.  I went with a Marineland 36" light and it seems to be fine in my tank.  I just need to pick up a cheap timer.  I'll post a picture this weekend if I remember.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[Mike L]

Dollar store for timer.

[Rumble Fish]

I'm seeing now that there are 48 inch T8 style LEDs availalble and they have all the standard temperature color options (3500K to 5000K).  Reasonable prices for the bulbs themselves and shop lights are cheap.  Anyone tried this or considering it?  If you're just lighting your tank or only running a low tech planted setup it seems like a good bang for your buck to me.

[Rumble Fish]

Just checked out the Philips lighting website; they make 6500K 48 inch LED tubes as well.

[Mike L]

That last colour temp would be my choice.  The higher the Kelvin the whiter the light.  AA far as I  know that's about the outer range for planted.  What is the lumens on that bulb.

[Rumble Fish]

Sorry, I can't seem to find it now...  I know it was there this morning bc I wrote it down...  Anyway the 5000k ones indicate about 2150 lumens.  I'll keep looking for the 6500K info...