Cheap spotlight for blackwater setup

[Monkfish]

I am converting my 5gal tank over to a semi blackwater setup and would like a spotlight for it instead of the Chihiros bar I have.

I found these on eBay
9/12/15 W Aquarium LED Light FishTank Adjustable Focus Spotlight Plant Grow Lamp | eBay

And they look like what I am after, would the 12w version be enough for a small 5gal tank? I will still have some epiphytes in there and crypts

 

[oreo57]

I am converting my 5gal tank over to a semi blackwater setup and would like a spotlight for it instead of the Chihiros bar I have.

I found these on eBay
9/12/15 W Aquarium LED Light FishTank Adjustable Focus Spotlight Plant Grow Lamp | eBay

And they look like what I am after, would the 12w version be enough for a small 5gal tank? I will still have some epiphytes in there and crypts

The lens goes from 15 to 60 degrees.
You can use this to give an estimate of the lights spread.

LED Lighting Beam Angle Calculator

A simple calculator that determines spot size by a light's beam angle

store.marinebeam.com

At 60 degrees and 10 cm off the water surface your beam "circle" is approx. 11.55cm in diameter

your 5gal is like 40x20cm? 25cm deep?

 

[Monkfish]

Yeah dimensions are W43xD26xH22.4cm. Was thinking of having the light at an angle facing from on end to the other, so the spread sounds like it will be about what I’m looking for.

It does have 9, 12 and 15w ratings. I’m guessing it would be brighter at the higher wattage.

 

[ianmianmianm]

Yeah dimensions are W43xD26xH22.4cm. Was thinking of having the light at an angle facing from on end to the other, so the spread sounds like it will be about what I’m looking for.

It does have 9, 12 and 15w ratings. I’m guessing it would be brighter at the higher wattage.

Did you get this lamp in the end? any pics? I'm doing similar. Thanks!

 

[Monkfish]

I changed my tank but here it is with the light I found for 78p on AE. I only have a few crypts in there and epiphytes but I’ve not had a melt or anything die from using this light.

 

[MoFish]

I think the "Chihiros Z light Tiny" would look cool too. It has an adjustable beam angle too, so can help you get the look you wanted.

 

[FrozenShivers]

I changed my tank but here it is with the light I found for 78p on AE. I only have a few crypts in there and epiphytes but I’ve not had a melt or anything die from using this light.

I've heard of budget lighting, but 78P is a whole new category 😁

 

[Monkfish]

I think the "Chihiros Z light Tiny" would look cool too. It has an adjustable beam angle too, so can help you get the look you wanted.

View attachment 223870

Yeah I had trouble finding that at the time and the only ones I could find were out of budget but it was one I was interested in.

 

[Monkfish]

I've heard of budget lighting, but 78P is a whole new category

Haha. Yeah. It was in a sale day.

 

[FrozenShivers]

Haha. Yeah. It was in a sale day.

That's awesome and if it seems to be working well!

 

[Connswater]

About two decades ago I used Sunglo T8 (Hagen/Fluval) tubes with good effect, but sitting directly on the cover glass, now I use cheap LED floodlights, similar Kelvin, but raised 6 inches from the surface, no cover glass. The budget LEDs seem to do the job really, really well. PAR is I find difficult to measure, but plenty of Lumens/Lux - less difficult to measure, and things seem fine. Just keep the photo period relatively short is my experience otherwise nuisance algae appears. Delighted to hear from folks with more physics than I have.