Do Led Flood Lights Work For Planted Aquarium?

[russianaquarium]

So I ordered 2x20 watt LED Flood lights recently and today they have arrived. So I built a little thing for them to hang on. These are rated at 6000-6500K and as said previously at 20 watts each. I realized the color looks more blue then my old led lights. Iv'e looked through everything online and haven't found much about them long term wise. So I want to see if they work or not after all to grow plants. After installing them I noticed the plants pearl, which is normal with new lights. So if you are curious as me to find out what they are capable of stay tuned for updates.

 

[Fresh2o]

Curious.
Is that CO2 from an air stone on the right side? Bubbles looks pretty course.

 

[ZxC]

They work quite well

 

[Angellove78]

I watched a video on YouTube not to long ago. Thinking of doing the same thing. The video I watched was by far the brightest lighting for a high lighted tank I've seen. If I can find it again I'll post it here for ya, And everyone else to see the set up. Think you got a very good set up.

 

[Angellove78]

OK, I found it! https://youtu.be/KQEt8W9zIvQ

 

[russianaquarium]

Thanks for all the replies!! No, no co2 on this aquarium, my co2 system is on my 60 gallon planted aquarium, running 4 bulb t5 fixtures. Without co2 it would be covered in BBA algae. This aquarium is a 36 gallon bowfront and I dose liquid seachem ferts.
Also this aquarium did really bad with my old lights, plants only grew algae on themselves not leaves lol. Thanks for the vid, watching it right now!

- Also ZxC, what kind of Led Flood lights are those? Watts? K rating? Also what size tank? Beautiful aquarium man, I hope mine will grow like that as well!!

 

[ZxC]

- Also ZxC, what kind of Led Flood lights are those? Watts? K rating? Also what size tank? Beautiful aquarium man, I hope mine will grow like that as well!!

https://www.amazon.ca/SOLLA-Floodli...95265&sr=8-3&keywords=15+watt+LED+flood+light

There's the light, 15 watts each, 6000k

5.5 gallon, so wayyyyy too much light so I cranked my CO2 way up, loaded it with floating plants and basically starved my plants of nutrients but I didn't have any algae!

 

[russianaquarium]

Do you guys think this should be enough light for this aquarium? (36 gallon bowfront). Its a little more then 1 watt per gallon, at 20 watts per led. I know watts don't mean much anymore, and leds dont work the same for WPG rule..? Thanks

 

[Delapool]

Looks like you could hang more if needed?

 

[Angellove78]

Looks like you got easy growing plants (low light) from what I can see. You could probably get away with what you got. But if you want the plants to grow alittle faster you can add another light. Or up you bulbs. I'd just see what happens. Keep track of the hours of your light and if you don't start seeing new growth then try a few more hours. Then you'll know if you need another light of different bulbs.

 

[russianaquarium]

Alright thanks, I was mostly worried about the Alternanthera Reineckii and the micro sword, the rest of the plants are low light. Micro sword is the one im real worried about. With old lights it sent runners but they got covered in algae super fast. The old led didn't grow plants at all, it only grew algae. Diatoms at most. But those were chinese ceiling leds HAHA...

 

[Delapool]

Are you running CO2?

 

[Angellove78]

If the Reineckii starts losing color then you'll know too. The high light plants will need some stronger light, Imo. But Co2 would help alot.

 

[russianaquarium]

Nope no co2, would dry ferts help? I only dose Seachem Flourish Excel

 

[ZxC]

Nope no co2, would dry ferts help? I only dose Seachem Flourish Excel

You'll need some sort of macro and micro source. Excel is a carbon source, no N-P-K or any micros. You can use flourish for micro's, and then any macro mix containing KNO3 and KH2PO4. I've always had a tough time growing AR without CO2

 

[russianaquarium]

Haha well that sucks, I finally was able to afford a Pressurized Co2 system for my 60 gallon and I went all out and got a 25 pound co2 tank haha. So having to go through that again for this aquarium would just suck. So I guess I will try Macro Micro dosing. Thanks

 

[myselfandme2]

Yeah I grow some high light plants with two (rotala wallichii)

 

[Angellove78]

This one is interesting maybe give so ideas for your micro swords. The video is about growing baby tears without Co2. Falls in the same category. Others might like it too. Just a note the guy Babel's alot. FF half way if you wanta cut to the chase.

 

[Angellove78]

https://youtu.be/V39U_bKgakk

 

[russianaquarium]

Interesting... So I was reading the comments and someone mentioned Monte Carlo, so if the micro sword doesn't work out would Monte Carlo grow with root tabs and Seachem Excel? Also that is just black sand, nothing in it for the plants except for root tabs. (Just thought mentioning that would be important).