Best LED for deep planted tank

[Kelly]

Can someone suggest the best LED for a deep (30"/ 220 gallon) planted tank, I'm planing to have plants that require medium to low light. I have a very good co2 delivery system with an exterior reactor and PH controller. I'm just stuck on the lighting issue. I was thinking of a T5HO set-up but think my money would be better spent going with LED if possible.

[dpatte]

I'd like to see recommendations on this as well. I too have a 220 planted tank, and the anubias and java fern are growing great, but I'd prefer more light. I currently have only a 4ft, 4 bulb 55W CFL on the tank, and an ancient 6' old style fluorescent with two 30W T8 plant bulbs in it.

I think I'd like two 3' LEDs.

[Kelly]

I'd like to see recommendations on this as well. I too have a 220 planted tank, and the anubias and java fern are growing great, but I'd prefer more light. I currently have only a 4ft, 4 bulb 55W CFL on the tank, and an ancient 6' old style fluorescent with two 30W T8 plant bulbs in it.

I think I'd like two 3' LEDs.

[Kelly]

That's what I've been looking at too, that or 2 staggered 48" if  2 - 36's are not enough. Marineland has what seems to be a good planted tank LED as well as the Finnex Ray 2. The reviews on the Finnex fugeray Planted are not as good as the Marineland or the Ray 2 and they're not made for a high tech tank either. The Marineland is a little more expensive. I'm leaning towards 2 -  48" Finnex Ray 2's, really liking what the reviews say. Then there are apparently different LED color set ups available on the Ray 2 depending on what lighting effects you want or need. Confused!!!

[daworldisblack]

Perhaps you can take a look at a BuildMyLED fixture,for deeper tanks. Maybe the XB series: http://www.buildmyled.com/xb-series-very-high-output-1/ Par at 24" varies for the diffeerent angles - the wider your tank, the wider the angle, compromising on PAR. How much Par dictates the level of lighting in your tank - Generally accepted values being : Low[12-30Par], Med[30-50Par], High[>50Par]

Based on the chart, only depth of 24" is provided but you could extrapolate that. For wide and deep tanks, multiple fixtures with smaller angles might be ideal - all depends on what you're growing, what other nutrients are available (ferts, co2) etc.

[dpatte]

what are the prices of the various lights you are both talking about?

[daworldisblack]

what are the prices of the various lights you are both talking about?

They vary depending on what your need is - check the link I posted for exact prices. BML fixtures cost a little more but worth it in the long run - quite a few members have them and perhaps they can chime in. The BML folks know what they're talking about and thier products 'make sense'.

[Kelly]

They vary depending on what your need is - check the link I posted for exact prices. BML fixtures cost a little more but worth it in the long run - quite a few members have them and perhaps they can chime in. The BML folks know what they're talking about and thier products 'make sense'.

I checked it out and they look good, I guess there's others out there too that don't come up when you do an LED for planted aquarium search. Really glad you told me/us about this, my attention is heightened, I like what I see but I don't know what combination to consider. I'll have to research the plants I want and the kind of light I need if plan on ordering these. Reasonably priced if they're as good as they claim.

Thanks!

[exv152]

I've got two BML XB series Dutch LEDs over my 125g, and love them. But they're super bright, to the point where I have to dim them to 75%, and I'm probably still in the very high light range in terms of PAR.

[Kelly]

I've got two BML XB series Dutch LEDs over my 125g, and love them. But they're super bright, to the point where I have to dim them to 75%, and I'm probably still in the very high light range in terms of PAR.

What's the depth of your tank?

[Kelly]

what are the prices of the various lights you are both talking about?

The Finnex Ray2 are around $180 US for a 48" unit, not bad!

[exv152]

What's the depth of your tank?

I've got a standard 125g, 21" height, but the lights are about 18" from the substrate.

[Kelly]

I've got a standard 125g, 21" height, but the lights are about 18" from the substrate.

I contacted BML and they suggested two 72" lights, with low-to-medium light levels. They recommend two light bars because one won't cover the full width of my tank, front to back. A Nature Style spectrum (or 10,000K spectrum) up front with a Dutch spectrum in the rear. Nice set up but $1200 + dollars I just don't know.

[exv152]

I wouldn't do the 10k only because it's mostly white light. Which is why I went with two full spectrum LEDs. They're pricey but you're getting some of the best LEDs in the hobby for plant growth & deeper tanks. Their PAR & spectral charts say it all.

[Kelly]

I'm thinking of buying one for now and maybe a second in the spring.

[exv152]

I'm thinking of buying one for now and maybe a second in the spring.

You won't regret it.

[Kelly]

Thanks exv152 and daworldisblack, after talking to Cara at BML I'm going to order the 72" Nature Style 6500K XB and next Spring I'll order a 72" Dutch spectrum for the back of the tank. The only question I forgot to ask Cara is what degree to order. With 22 to 27" of depth at 24 inches wide I would guess 60 degrees would be Okay.

[wolfiewill]

If you look carefully on the Build My LED site, as you are selecting the details of your light, there is a series of headings for the technical details of the product at about half way down the page; select 'Beam Angle'. Once you have selected your aquarium size, they give you their recommendations under 'Our Recommendations', and just below that you have to choose your selections. You determine where you want your light above the tank to select the appropriate beam angle.

[Kelly]

I ordered my light Monday, tried to order it Black Friday but they had problems with their credit card payments so they honored the price until Cara came back from vacation on Monday. I bought a 72" Nature Style 6500K XB. After talking to Cara at BML I decided to go with the 90 degree angle beam. They recommended 2 lights, the one I bought and the 10000K Planted XB. I'll see how it is with just the one and if I decide to get the other one I'll wait until spring, they're expensive, hope they live up to all the feedback.

[Kelly]

I received my BML light today, amazing! The output this light has is out of this world, glad I ordered the dimmer with it. Now the task of planting my tank.