Advice for a new light

[andy]

Returning to a planted tank after a few years and the choice of lighting is a bit overwhelming

So the tank is 100 x 45 x 45 cm filtered by an external.

CO2 will be added and a sandy substrate used. I have an RO so I can mix this with the hard tap water here in East Sussex if needed.

I would like to keep a mix of plants, some of which require high lighting. Fish would largely be based around 30 Harliquins and maybe a small group of Apistos.

Lighting is a minefield. Would prefer to keep away from tubes and I like the look of the full length LED's with a spectrum that is suitable for both green and red plants.

Any suggestions? Happy to spend a bit of cash on them (within sensible reason). Tank can be open topped.

Thank you

 

[Superpuma1]

I cannot fault my Twinstar 600 EA ( A ) means adjustable. Fantastic colour rendition, simple timer / dimmer included, grows red and greens for fun, didn’t break the bank.

 

[Bradders]

@George Farmer did a light upgrade, and they were Twinstar G. Have at how the fish colour changed:

 

[G mac]

I installed a G line a few weeks back and the colour rendition of the fish is spectacular. Harlequins look like I've never seen them before.

 

[PARAGUAY]

Feel like l maybe missing out on lighting but l was happy with my t5s and the nicrew which l have 3 at moment

 

[oreo57]

Feel like l maybe missing out on lighting but l was happy with my t5s and the nicrew which l have 3 at moment

Those lights in general are all about the same.
T5 "white" tubes are made using RGB phosphors.
Nicrews generally have added red/blue leds to their whites which are probably a higher quality (better CRI) than a "general' all white led lights.

The twinstar G+ has 6 different "colored" diodes including the mysterious "orange" ones.

His orig. lights used standard blue plus yellow phosphor leds (my guess) with obvious low CRI "high" K (6500k-ish).. Frankly a horrible visual spectrum with
the green/yellow peak. Reminds me of the early fluorescent days.
Was good for bragging about lumens/watt though.

 

[PARAGUAY]

One light l really did like was the discontinued (before the LEDs took over?) Arcadia Plant Pro, if there was a equivalent in LED but it's Arcadia Tropical tube LEDs and they seem to have embraced the reptile market now.

 

[oreo57]

One light l really did like was the discontinued (before the LEDs took over?) Arcadia Plant Pro, if there was a equivalent in LED but it's Arcadia Tropical tube LEDs and they seem to have embraced the reptile market now.

"Equivalent" maybe but there are going to def. visual differences created by the different technology.
Any RGB based led is fairly "equivalent".
Not sure if this is the tube you were referring to. Basic RGB style.

 

[PARAGUAY]

Didn't have the word extra, think Arcadia were pushing these for the Aquascaping community .Might be wrong but George Farmer possibly did magazine articles using themthem

 

[oreo57]

Didn't have the word extra, think Arcadia were pushing these for the Aquascaping community .Might be wrong but George Farmer possibly did magazine articles using themthem

Sleeves on the right just say "plant pro"

 

[PARAGUAY]

Missed that yeh same tubes

 

[BlazeStar]

Returning to a planted tank after a few years and the choice of lighting is a bit overwhelming

So the tank is 100 x 45 x 45 cm filtered by an external.

CO2 will be added and a sandy substrate used. I have an RO so I can mix this with the hard tap water here in East Sussex if needed.

I would like to keep a mix of plants, some of which require high lighting. Fish would largely be based around 30 Harliquins and maybe a small group of Apistos.

Lighting is a minefield. Would prefer to keep away from tubes and I like the look of the full length LED's with a spectrum that is suitable for both green and red plants.

Any suggestions? Happy to spend a bit of cash on them (within sensible reason). Tank can be open topped.

Thank you

Maybe Chihiros WRGB II? The red, green and blue spectrum of this light is very well regulated, especially the red plants look especially bright. It can also be dimmed with a phone app.

 

[Jimmyc]

Hi Andy. I’m currently using two twinstar G line lights in my tank, and have been for a little while now . The original led lights that come supplied with my tank were, pretty good
( Oase daylight leds ), but when i changed them, I was amazed at how much better the twinstar lights are.

Sure there’s better lighting out there if you’re willing to pay extra, and I was tempted myself. But I’m so happy with how the twinstar performs and the simplicity of the controllers, I have their lights on all my other tanks. Hope this helps.
James

 

[Bushy1979]

Got to say, I'm well impressed with the A7P from aliexpress, is basically a kessil knock off.
£100 instead of £460