Shop lights

[Becca]

Jeremy bought a BeamsWork LED maybe 6-8 months ago and it went this weekend. It was listed as plant lighting, though I was skeptical, but he bought it before I could properly voice my skepticism. It was cheap, and lasted accordingly (about $190).

Here's my thoughts on that light - It has two sets of light, both are on the "white" end of the spectrum. It lit the tank very brightly, but the colors of the fish and plants lack depth under this particular light. Additionally, we've been battling brown beard/hair algae and losing leaves on our swords and Anubias using this light. I'm NOT a fan. I think you get better color and plant results out of T5 lights, unless you've got the money to spend on really good LED's.

I have offered to buy new lights for the 150 with money from my side account, but J won't have it. He doesn't want the spending on electricity and bulbs that have to be replaced every 6-12 months.

The part of the light that went is the AC adapter. Something keeps shorting out one of the nodes in it. We're goint to try to find a replacement, but the light has a rather unique connection to the AC adaptor, and we're not sure we can find one that is suitable.

Chris Teem (RainforestExperience) would be a good person to bring in on this thread.

 

[Andrewtfw]

I have a pair beamswork fixtures that run .5w leds. I have had it for nearly two years and have not had a problem. They are extremely dull and I would not buy them again.
I have current satelite+ fixtures on my planted tank. I am happy with them but as noted, the tank can't be too tall and they are not great at growing light demanding plants.
On my 8ft 135g I have a pair of current true lumen pro led strips (8k). They run very warm but are very bright. I love the way 8k shows off the colors of fish and plants.

 

[Ading522]

I have a pair beamswork fixtures that run .5w leds. I have had it for nearly two years and have not had a problem. They are extremely dull and I would not buy them again.
I have current satelite+ fixtures on my planted tank. I am happy with them but as noted, the tank can't be too tall and they are not great at growing light demanding plants.
On my 8ft 135g I have a pair of current true lumen pro led strips (8k). They run very warm but are very bright. I love the way 8k shows off the colors of fish and plants.

Pic? I'm looking for a nice light setup to run on my 125 show tank.. Debating on led spotlights or floodlights or full length led lights..two 36"s? Or 2 48"s I'm still so confused..I just want the colors to pop..I like the current light on it a 72" power compact but it runs really warm and causes my acrylic lids to slightly bow that I have to flip them every other day to prevent them from being deformed..

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[Becca]

Pic? I'm looking for a nice light setup to run on my 125 show tank.. Debating on led spotlights or floodlights or full length led lights..two 36"s? Or 2 48"s I'm still so confused..I just want the colors to pop..I like the current light on it a 72" power compact but it runs really warm and causes my acrylic lids to slightly bow that I have to flip them every other day to prevent them from being deformed..

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If you switch to LED's, I might just buy that PC off of you.

 

[mchambers]

I have Marineland Double Bright LEDs on three tanks. (I got all of them for free.) I like the look of the tanks, but the lights won't grow any but the easiest of plants, and even then the tank needs to be shallow.

Strangely, I have them on two 40Bs, and in one the plants do okay, but in the other they really struggle.

 

[Becca]

I have Marineland Double Bright LEDs on three tanks. (I got all of them for free.) I like the look of the tanks, but the lights won't grow any but the easiest of plants, and even then the tank needs to be shallow.

Strangely, I have them on two 40Bs, and in one the plants do okay, but in the other they really struggle.

Wow- how did you manage that?

That's odd, that there's a difference between the tanks. Maybe one gets some natural light?

Most of what we have in the 150 is low/low-moderate - swords, assorted Java stuff, anubias, dwarf lilies, crypts, val, a bit of penny wort (or something like it), here and there...

 

[mchambers]

Wow- how did you manage that?

That's odd, that there's a difference between the tanks. Maybe one gets some natural light?

Most of what we have in the 150 is low/low-moderate - swords, assorted Java stuff, anubias, dwarf lilies, crypts, val, a bit of penny wort (or something like it), here and there...

There's no other relevant difference between the tanks. No natural light; no difference in ferts or water quality. Really the only differences are the types of fish.

 

[Becca]

There's no other relevant difference between the tanks. No natural light; no difference in ferts or water quality. Really the only differences are the types of fish.

What types of fish? Do they eat different food? Maybe a dietary difference means one tank gets better poop.

 

[mchambers]

Different species, but I feed them the same things. It's really odd. I'm happy with the plants in one of the tanks and not the other. Same substrate, too, before you ask.

 

[Becca]

Different species, but I feed them the same things. It's really odd. I'm happy with the plants in one of the tanks and not the other. Same substrate, too, before you ask.

Where are they mythbusters when you need them?

 

[Localzoo]

Well LEDs seem like they don't penetrate as deep for taller tanks


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[cichlidaddicted]

Well LEDs seem like they don't penetrate as deep for taller tanks


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Ime Not the 1-5 watt ones....unless they are focused to a narrow beam. An interesting point about led that makes it different from cfl is that they don't actually illuminate the water column. Its obvious when you compare a 420 actinic spectrum. The led creates a crisp blue and it appears as if there is no water in the tank only the objects appear blue. A cfl almost makes the tank look like its cloudy with a blue tint, its obvious that the water column is illuminated. My tanks with leds always appear clearer like the fish are floating in air. They produce a very different effect when compared this is also why leds with poly lenses create the shimmer effect whereas cfl do not.

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[Localzoo]

Interesting might have to look up why that is?


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[Hawkman2000]

Something else to consider is that you can put t8 bulbs in t12 fixtures. T8s will use a bit leds energy and put out more lumens as well.

 

[Localzoo]

I've found LEDs that are in the shape of the t12 and 8s

Also found a weapon used to immobilize people using LEDs to disorient and make you nauseous using specific light spectrum.

Still researching


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[spazmattik]

I currently have a 36" aqeuon led with the original white bulb and 2 color max. As far as this thread and others I have looked at, even if i got one of the 10 watt flood lights it would beat my lights. My issue with mine is it doesnt really cover all areas of the tank. It would be cool to build a canopy for my 40 breeder and hang one of these guys...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-20W-30W...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item2c7a1d3749

So I am assuming I would need 10 watt daylight ac for a 40 ?