Turf Scrubber Advice

[Brock]

I'm building a vertical turf scrubber for my new 95 gallon tank. The box and the screen and plumbing is no problem. What I am having a problem with is the lights to grow the screen. I want to use LEDs, but I don't know what kind are the best, and how many to use. I have heard warm whites are good for algae growth, but I have also heard on the same account that red LEDs work as well. The screen will be roughly 16 inches long by 6.5 inches tall.


Thanks for any help.

 

[Terrance]

Try Lights of American Flood lights. It will emit around 6500k, which is ideal for cheap plant lights. Plus, these lights emit a lot of watts. I'm planning on using it to grow some chaeto. I think its around 13"x7", which is pretty close the dimensions of your screen.

 

[Brock]

Do you by any chance have a link to them? I had originally planned on building my own, but if they are fairly cheap then it would be easier to buy them instead if dealing with the DIY headache.

 

[Terrance]

Amazon.com: Lights of America 9265 65 Watt Fluorescent Flood Light, White: Home Improvement

They come in 27w, 65w, and 100w. From the reviews that I've read, they don't last long. For the price, I didn't expect them to last long. Maybe a year or two before they go out.

 

[Brock]

Amazon.com: 10 Watt LED Waterpoof Outdoor Security Floodlight 85-264V AC, 3701WH: Home Improvement

Would these work as well? I like the idea of having the LED over the Fluorescent.

 

[Terrance]

Sure it can work.

 

[FTMMWS]

6500k is too high IMO/IME...you want the warm light not cool..More like 2700-3000K...I have always used and have great growth with the spiral bulbs ..Can't give much info on the LED's though

 

[Brock]

http://www.amazon.com/Waterpoof-Out...r0_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1329671161&sr=1-3-fkmr0

This one is 3200K, better?

 

[FTMMWS]

I'm sure that would work,,just curious,but why are you set on getting this type ,,LED i mean?You can get 8 spirals for that price..I also think you'll still need some type of reflector ..Those lights are meant to have a spread and not be concentrated to a small area,such as your screen..There will be a lot of wasted light.

 

[Terrance]

6500k is too high IMO/IME...you want the warm light not cool..More like 2700-3000K...I have always used and have great growth with the spiral bulbs ..Can't give much info on the LED's though

What happens if its too high?

 

[FTMMWS]

Most people say you won't get the desired growth,which is actually hair algae, i have found this to be true for me also....Higher watts will actually burn the algae too..Shoot for 30 watt bulbs and under and "warm" light for best results ..

 

[Brock]

Honestly, I'm not set on LEDs, just seemed like they would work as well as others. I've never worked with the spiral bulbs, or the reflectors. Where can I get the reflectors and bulbs? How much would it take?

 

[FTMMWS]

Get all you need at Lowes, for probably under 40 bucks ...Don't over complicate it..Its very easy to set up

Heres mine in my build thread..This is actually the 3rd one i've built ..In the vid its only about a month old or so..Its really rocking with growth now
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f45/ftmmwss-280-build-167134-9.html