Lighting recommendations

[jen83]

I am thinking about adding more plants to my current 75 gal. setup and would like recommendations on lighting. I'm not looking to do a heavily planted tank, just some swords and a couple other varieties to go with the java fern that I have. Currently, I have a t8 fixture with a full spectrum bulb. Will a t8 plant bulb be ok? Or would a t5 or led system be better? If so, any recommendations on a fairly inexpensive but decent fixture?

[sdrexler078]

Check out buildmyled. I just got a fixture from them. Couldn't be happier

[DiscusLoverJeff]

An LED fixture with . 5 watt or 1 watt 6500k LED's would be fine. Also look into an auto dimmer. Sometimes too much light can send your tank into an algae bloom very quickly. Start out low and slow and gradually increase the power.

[jen83]

I will check out buildmyled.

And thank you DiscusLoverJeff for the info. I came across the Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED+ Fixture, but the wattage is 30 for the 48"-60" fixture. I'm thinking that would be too low?? It seems to get a lot of good reviews.
http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/satellite-freshwater-led-plus/

[jen83]

I also came across a Beamswork led. Any opinions?
http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Aquarium-Lighting-Beamswork-Tropical-Fish-p/56327p.htm

[GTOAviator]

Check out Finnex FugeRay Planted+
I've been using this on my planted discus tank with success.

http://www.amazon.com/Finnex-FugeRay-Planted-Aquarium-Moonlights/dp/B00GH9HURE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407998860&sr=8-2&keywords=Finnex+FugeRay

[Marcelishpak]

Finnex has some nice and affordable led. Like Gto said FugeRay planted+ is a good choice. I have it with combination of finnex ray 2 on fully planted tank and it grows plants real nice.

[jds1990]

I have the current sattelite led+. It's a good fixture I have it on my 100 gallon. Plants don't grow like weeds but they are progressing. I am getting another fixture soon for it. They are good imo not a lot of light but low temperature and the custom remote feature is nice. You will definitely see a beautiful lighting difference over fluorescent. If you are growing plants with low lighting requirements it will be fine. They are on ebay from petco for 112 plus shipping good price imo.

[jen83]

Thank you for the recommendations. I went with the Current Satellite Plus. While I love the look of my aquarium under that light and the different settings, I am experiencing a lot of issues with it. I am not sure if I will be keeping it or going to a different one.

[fishtanktenderfoot]

I also have the Current Satellite LED Plus on my 48" tank. I really like the look it provides, and it offers enough light on my 25" deep tank to grow algae when I leave them on too long... oops. I paired it with the dual ramp timer so they "ramp" from off to 100% over a 5-15min window, and the same when they turn off. I don't have to remember to turn them on or off, and I think the fish will like the more "natural" light getting steadily brighter rather than 100% on all at once.

[jen83]

It is good to read that a couple of people have this same light and are happy with it. Perhaps I just happened to get a faulty one. It started out with flickering/flashing when I adjusted the colors/settings and has also progressed to the unit not responding to the remote. At times, the remote will not work at all and other times no matter what I push the white lights would dim. As of right now, I can't get the lights to turn on because the remote will not work.



I also have the Current Satellite LED Plus on my 48" tank. I really like the look it provides, and it offers enough light on my 25" deep tank to grow algae when I leave them on too long... oops. I paired it with the dual ramp timer so they "ramp" from off to 100% over a 5-15min window, and the same when they turn off. I don't have to remember to turn them on or off, and I think the fish will like the more "natural" light getting steadily brighter rather than 100% on all at once.

I want to look into a ramp timer once my light is replaced. Do you experience any flickering/flashing when the lights are ramped down below a certain percentage? I read that this could happen so I wasn't sure if the satellite plus could be paired with a timer.

[fishtanktenderfoot]

I am assuming you checked the batteries in your remote? :o

There are tradeoffs when you pair the light with the ramp timer. I use it for basic 24 hr ramp on and ramp off which it does nicely. And with this setup, I no longer use the remote (but I had no remote issues, either.) You are correct that the Current literature states to not dim below 7% in the "off" mode. When I bought this and set it up initially, I followed their instructions, but 7% actually still put out a lot of light. I could see the glow of the lamps from the top of the stairs (tank is in the basement.) And then I got algae, so I tried setting it to 0% in the "off" mode with my fingers crossed, and I have not had any issues. No noticeable flickering and no flashing.

[jen83]

That was one of the first things I did. I even changed the battery but still no luck.

Thanks for the info. on the ramp timer. I will be purchasing that as soon as I get the new light.

[jds1990]

Pretty sure they have a one year warranty. I'd contact the manufacturer. Did you buy it from them directly?

[jen83]

No, I didn't buy it through them. I have been in contact with them though and they are sending a new one.

[jds1990]

That's good to hear!

[jen83]

Yea, definitely! Fingers crossed no issues with the new one. I am feeling better about it though knowing others have the light with no problems.

[jds1990]

Yes I've had it for almost a year now and haven't had any issues with it. Hope your next unit is trouble free!

[jen83]

Thanks!

[jds1990]

New unit working problem free? I just got my other unit I ordered. Got thehttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/13/c8d4c3d5e5d13c19aec80c99827e074b.jpg lights set on cloud mode looks nice also got a stingray which was a bad choice but it looks cool and its healthy!

[jen83]

The new light has been working great! Thanks for asking. I was contemplating switching to a different light, but am happy I stayed with this one because I love the look of my tank and the different settings it offered. Nice stingray! Would love to have one but my 75gal doesn't have the space