Input needed re:T8s+stunner strips

**bethyMT** · 10-06-2012, 11:36 PM

Hi. I feel like I am totally spamming this section of the board. I am really kinda obsessed with getting my tank right.

I am interested in growing low to medium light plants in my 48"long, 20" (or so)high, 12"deep FW tank. Right now I have two 18" T8s in there...one is 6700k 15w, one is 10,000k 15w. That's not enough to grow anything.

I am interested in buying two 24" ecoxotic stunner strips in 8000k to supplement my existing lighting (actually buying just one to see how it goes). Does anyone have any experiences or opinions about whether or not this is enough light to grow the plants I want?

There are many who advocate T5s, but they are just so hot, and the power saving and ease of use in the LEDs looks good. Also, they would quite affordable as a supplement. But not if they won't work!

TIA!

**Northerly** · 10-07-2012, 12:46 AM

Low to medium light plants generally require 1-2 watts per gallon. I'd recommend at least 75 watts of light on a tank this size(55 gallons).
EDIT: How many watts are the stunner strips you mentioned?

**Cliff** · 10-07-2012, 12:51 AM

You can not really use the watts per gallon rule of thumb when it comes to LEDs. I had 144 watts of good quality LEDs running at 75% and I found that just as bright as 432 watts of T5HO in a average to low quality T5 fixture

But all of this would depend on the quality of the LEDs used to make the light you are talking about. I would suggest trying to see these LEDs set up on a tank if that could be a option for you

**Northerly** · 10-07-2012, 12:56 AM

Hmm hadn't realized that he meant LEDs, never used LEDs that much anyways. Thanks cliff:p

**Cliff** · 10-07-2012, 01:02 AM

It gets really tricky when you want to combine different types of lighting on the same tank. I know as I'm currently trying that on my 120 gallon tank

Sometimes you just have to try it and see

**bethyMT** · 10-07-2012, 01:05 AM

Cliff, I was sent a photo by the manufacturer of a tank set up with 8000k strips. However, how many were used wasn't specified. I sent ecoxotic an email asking if this would work, and they replied yes. I was originally looking into the 12" strips, they suggested the 24".

There is literally no data on how this will work (that compendium on LEDs on plantedtank has unuseable data as supplied by ecoxotic).

I guess I am hoping that I am not being swindled by the company. The idea of actually being able to afford a significant upgrade is almost too good to be true, IMO.

EDIT: They are 12watt, here is the link (please don't ban me, not spamming!!):http://www.ecoxotic.com/stunner-led-strips-12-watt.html

**Cliff** · 10-07-2012, 01:09 AM

Perphaps you could ask them what type of LEDs are used in their fixtures and the total number and wattage of these LEDs

Good quality LEDs like Cree or appollo would give you very good light levels while the cheap knock-off brands would not be nearly as good. That would provide a better idea of the light you could get

**bethyMT** · 10-07-2012, 01:16 AM

It says on the specs that there are 48 leds on this strip, using 24v.

Why oh why does aquarium lighting have to be confusing?

**Cliff** · 10-07-2012, 01:19 AM

Just think, once you have this figured out, it will be a whole lot less confusing

See if you can find out the wattage of these LEDs and who makes the LEDs themselves as most LED light fixture manufactures do not make their own LEDs,

**bethyMT** · 10-07-2012, 01:22 AM

12w, per specs. But I can def. inquire as to the manufacturer.

As far as WPG goes, this wouldn't really help much. I am hoping they are stronger/different than that. I'm encouraged that there are 48 of the individual leds on the strip.

They sell reflectors too. That may help, if necessary.

EDIT: I am going to be awesome at the whole FW tank thing if I can just survive this first adventure!