Do LED's grow algae

[CleverBs]

Id like to get a LED strip for my tank but dont want it to promote algae growth. or do LED's produce no useable light?

[redsea]

Originally Posted by CleverBs

Id like to get a LED strip for my tank but dont want it to promote algae growth. or do LED's produce no useable light?

I think LED's would produce algae growth because I think some people use them on their reef tanks. Corals need usable lights.

[CleverBs]

I kinda thought they would =/

[Dale_I]

It would depend on what kind of LEDs they are, how many there are, what color spectrum they have, and how long your use cycle is.

Look for a lighting spectrum number. Should be something like 10,000K or 6,000K. Also, find a PAR or LUX number and they should be listed at a certain depth.
Ex: PAR 130/LUX 12700 at 12 inches, PAR 64/LUX 5870 at 24 inches

Once you know the spectrum and the intensity at the depth you are using, you can take a good guess at what affect they will have on growth.

[aqua_chem]

Is this the marineland bright/double bright fixture we're talking about or something else?

[Dale_I]

There is such a variety of LEDs right now... You have everything from specifically designed aquarium lights all the way down to units that are nothing more than rope lighting. That's why I was suggesting to get the actual lighting specifications to know what results you will obtain.

[CleverBs]

well im just looking for something that will give me the led effect but no algea growth in a 75gallon planted tank.

[abrahamavelar]

they do i have some t5ho and it grows fast also the speed rate depends on ur water parameters

[aqua_chem]

Many algae types will use the same wavelengths of light as plants to survive. Can't have one without the other.

[abrahamavelar]

^^^^^^ true!!!!!