LED lights

[sskruzr]

Anybody have an idea or seen some specs on how many LED lights and type you would need to grow plants in a 20" deep tank? I see LEDs for sale any where from $50 to $300 but what's it take to grow some plants?

[im2smart4u]

There are a lot of threads about it on plantedtank.net. Try searching or looking in the light forum over there. I know it takes a stronger LED. The LED fixtures at the stores, like the Marineland one, don't put out enough light.

[dennysfishroom]

Check with John W., too. He was trying to put something together himself. Don't think I ever heard the result, though. You could always use low-light like Java Fern and Anubius. Denny

[tekwyatt]

I have bought the parts I believe I need for my 125G. Should be here in a week. I will be taking pictures and notes for anyone interested. Here is a link to a person that has already made this light fixture but I have not found much information as to how the plants grew after some time. http://aquariums.seaspraydesigns.biz/my-200-gallon-tank/diy-cree-xp-g-r5-led-aquarium-light-part-i/
I will be modifing the system to fit in my wood hood. More to come if there is an interest. My goal is to convert my smaller tanks to LED when the T5s wearout. This will be a later project, I know I can install 23W florecents like I am using on my 20G now, working great. But, LEDs look awesome.

[dennysfishroom]

maybe we can have you do a mini-presentation at one of our meetings after you finish. I'm sure there would be a great deal of interest in this. Denny

[tekwyatt]

I am not an expert by any means, but would be happy to tell what I know and help anyone that would like to build their own LED system.

[mewickham]

Yes, that would be a good little talk. You could make it as short or as long as you want.

[tekwyatt]

I have been working on a few DYI projects that we could just make it a little DYI discussion. I have made a growing back plantscape with Java Moss. Also, a cover to the sump drains with other plants. This is all to test the LED system and the SHO florescent lighting in the 125 G.
We could make it a DYI night of discussions and I would be happy to start with mine. Let me know when, I am taking pictures of my projects to use.

[tekwyatt]

A little update. My 125 led is up and running. I do add CO2 to hold my PH at 7.3 my plants are growing about an inch a day. I have a handful of plants every weekend that I cut out.
I have turned down the power now to see how low the LEDs Dan go and still grow bottom plants. As soon as I can figure out how to put picture on this site I will

[tekwyatt]

Here are a comparison pictures. I am not very good at picture taking but you can still tell the difference.