High Tech Aquarium Lighting - Planted Aquarium Lighting Guide

High Tech Aquarium Lighting - Planted Aquarium Lighting Guide - Part 6

Рет қаралды 32,253

6 жыл бұрын

This is the High Tech Aquarium Lighting video in the Planted Aquarium Lighting Guide. Part 6 of the video series where I go over suggested high tech aquarium lighting kits for planted tanks.
Tom Barr Measures ADA Tanks: bit.ly/2AmE6T6
⭐ Finnex Fugeray: amzn.to/2Ahg1Nk
⭐ Finnex Ray 2: amzn.to/2Lzvo9i
⭐ Finnex 24/7: amzn.to/2AleFBs
⭐ Fluval Fresh 3.0: bit.ly/2LHq9U5
⭐ Kessil A80: amzn.to/2mRnMAj
⭐ Kessil A360: amzn.to/2LN0JV8
😜 Subscribe for more Aquarium Stuff: goo.gl/mWpNh8
☑️ Beginners Planted Tank Guide: goo.gl/oCujCK
☑️ Aquarium Lighting Guide: bit.ly/2INYuMA
☑️ The Dry Start Method: goo.gl/XC8Rnz
☑️ Using Soil: goo.gl/PxkvK4
☑️ On Aquarium Substrates: goo.gl/imBezo
☑️ On Aquascaping: goo.gl/whZ6oN
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Пікірлер: 238

@cichlidguru1163 6 жыл бұрын

That's the much needed video .lots of new hobbyists to planted tank suffer and search and ask about lightning. Best video series out there

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@sulsteeze6356 5 жыл бұрын

Bro I've been looking for this channel for a while. This guy got me into Aquascaping. Cheers.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome to hear!

@natturner1244 5 жыл бұрын

Finally, a video about lighting that actually explains the amount and type required to grow plants. Thank you!

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed

@vblackwell3347 5 жыл бұрын

SO late but I have to totally agree. The Water Box is the ONLY site that has helped me to 1/2 way understand lighting. Am upgrading lights now based solely on his advice. Thankful to have found & subscribed to this a couple months ago. Am trying to clue others to The Water Box. He deserves many more subs!

@MarkGarrettBusinessCoach 5 жыл бұрын

First thanks for all the amazing content. You need way more subscribers and likes!!! Your channel is one of my go too now when I am researching something. For me, stumbling into the hobby from my 1700 gallon koi pond to now 2 tanks inside, I have one T5 on my cichlid tank and now picking up a used T5 OH from Kijiji this weekend for my newly scaped 46 bowfront. For me, it's about initial cost going in right now - cheap and easy. If I stick with the hobby (who am I kidding, I have two more tanks in the garage), I'll begin to invest.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Nice! You're getting deep into it now eh? :) Happy tanking! :)

@madfishdiva 6 жыл бұрын

Great information. Aquarium lights are such a important part of the planted tank.

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Thank MGD

@michelledoherty6514 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, your videos are awesome!💖💖💖

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching :)

@MasterPhotographer 4 жыл бұрын

Great information! Straight and to the point.

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@kevinw1980 5 жыл бұрын

Great video again. It’s very educational.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed!

@PastTheDirtRoad 6 жыл бұрын

Great series bro. You go more in depth for each subject than any other channel I've seen

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

I try! I just hope I'm at least close to right most of the time lol

@PastTheDirtRoad 6 жыл бұрын

The Water Box So far you have not steered us wrong

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy!

@Jana63 6 жыл бұрын

Newbie here - you inspire me so much!! :)

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Why thank you! I hope I do! :) Thanks for watching

@bigbowlowrong4694 6 жыл бұрын

I bought an AI Prime Freshwater about a month ago and stuck it on my 25 gallon planted tank. It's absolutely amazing, I just wish I had skipped wasting my money on cheapo LED fixtures before getting serious about buying quality. It has more power than I'll ever need, is extremely versatile and easy to customise and keeps my plants pearling and growing happily.

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Good deal!

@josemontalvo4532 5 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed watching this video. I understood this video much better. I seen a few lights that you didn’t mention, but you can’t do them all. Thank you for sharing!

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Yeh tough to do em all so I stuck with the ones I've played with.

@josemontalvo4532 5 жыл бұрын

The Water Box Cool!

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

☝

@vb2377 6 жыл бұрын

I love the edits you are implementing into your video man.

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@vb2377 6 жыл бұрын

Love that you do your research and know your info. I'm not the only one that is tired of repetitive info right? Haha

@vb2377 6 жыл бұрын

Also, I use a nicrew and it works great for me. It is a low budget light for sure but it grows stuff and my tank looks great. I believe people should start at the bottom because if you go high budget from the start you are going to struggle. Low tech is easier to manage and help you learn the basics. I also think don't invest unless you know what you are doing .

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

High is actually find if you can control the intensity. If you can't then that's the harder part. But if all you ever do is keep it at low intensity then you can always just go low budget to save the money and get more fish/plants! Thanks for the comment!

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Truth

@darksbacon5856 6 жыл бұрын

Love ur vids

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@phillyphreshh 3 жыл бұрын

Your channel is the best

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@twinedbenji007 6 жыл бұрын

Nice video again!!! I prefer the fluval 2.0 is a very good light i also use ADA Aquasky is also good but expensive and the mid range best is the Twinstar E series also very good light :)

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Fluval does make some good lights man! And yeh, ADA does cost a pretty penny. lol Thanks for sharing!

@Diosesdepapel 4 жыл бұрын

Great video lots of information Very interesting , too bad it went so fast ... i use Finnex light on a 20 long planted tank. Thank You for Sharing , i love your Chanel.

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@rlipp69 4 жыл бұрын

Hello your videos are great. I have a few questions for you. I don’t have any of the lighting you recommend yet. I have a Aqueon OptBright LED. And also have gravel. Will this be sufficient to grow a few plants in my 29 gal or buy the new lights u,suggested? Thanks

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

It should work with low light demanding plants. Just make sure to get an all in one fert bottle to provide your plants with nutrients.

@Mayo-fg2se 6 жыл бұрын

You deserve way more subs

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'm trying.

@Mayo-fg2se 6 жыл бұрын

The Water Box keep up the great content! They'll be flooding in soon

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

hehe Thanks Buddy!

@grant575mixmaster 4 жыл бұрын

It will come buddy, you're a go to for a lot of people

@Funsun39 Жыл бұрын

The biggest thing I'm having trouble figuring out is what lights are the best for a deeper tank like a 55. Most do reviews for smaller tanks..I'm thinking about getting a 165w viparspectra will this work? Not looking for expensive. I just want something that will reach the substrate.

@plecowhisper7059 6 жыл бұрын

nice video

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Awesome Usename! :)

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

MORE TO LEARN ABOUT PLANTED TANKS: ☑️ Beginners Planted Tank Guide: goo.gl/oCujCK ☑️ Aquarium Lighting Guide: bit.ly/2INYuMA ☑️ Aquarium Co2 Guide: bit.ly/2rSteVY ☑️ The Dry Start Method: goo.gl/XC8Rnz ☑️ Using Soil: goo.gl/PxkvK4

@put4ng1n4m0 5 жыл бұрын

Check out Dennis Wong's videos for more information on spectrums and T5s :) kzfaq.info

@yannibarghouty2903 5 жыл бұрын

I've got a high tech 75G with a beamswork DA FSPEC Pent 48"-- so far it looks great and seems to have good PAR based off this chart: www.plantedtank.net/forums/10-lighting/1153810-beamswork-da-fspec-dhl-6500k-par-lux-kelvin-pur-data.html I wanted to ask you though, would 2 of these be overkill? I'm growing an HC carpet and have a bunch of red plants, and based off that link above it seems to be a little under the fluval fresh and plant you said you've got 2 of on a breeder tank in the video. Any thoughts would be great!

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

@@yannibarghouty2903 It's ok. The PAR are good but mostly high in the green specturm, it's lacking in the blues and reds. It'll still work on mainly green plants decently but I can get flood lights that can do the same thing at lower cost based on that chart. For a 75g. you're talking about a typical tank with the height of 22" and 18" front to back, right? Yeh I'd get two. It's not overkill at all. Based simply on coverage you'll need two. PAR at 42 is around medium-ish light. Having two will boost it up all over the tank so it'll cover most areas in your tank.

@yannibarghouty2903 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the help! Luckily I’ll probably push the first one to the back and the second to the front to get a good spread going. As for the color, using the timer I’m able to keep the red, white, and green leds on for about 7/8 hrs, and have the blue turn on for the last hour or so (mainly a preference in aesthetics) - is it a big deal to keep the blues off for the majority of the photoperiod? I’m hoping the day mix I have set is sufficient cause it looks fantastic

@yannibarghouty2903 5 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox You were right about the coverage- its been about a week since I went ahead and installed the second and the plants are staying more compact & getting brighter!

@BatangenyongBisdak 4 жыл бұрын

For Fluval 3.0 Did you use 100% full lights on and for how many hours? Plants are amazing. Having algae problem with mine 8hrs + CO2 full 100% lights On.

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

I had it on for 8 hours at 40% for the fluval 2.0. Should be same as 3.0 but my tank is different from yours so it might not work the same. You'have having algae because of too much light. Lower the intensity or lower the photoperiod.

@lerovince 3 жыл бұрын

I’m discovering this channel and your content is still so relevant! I meant to ask you I have a Aqua illumination freshwater prime. My tank is 16”x15”x15” is no where near the 24” that it can operate at 100% so I have it at 30x10x30 on the red, green, blue lights. My question is for new plants there’s a way to have a dimmer on for how ever many days I had my plants stress and end up dying. I dose on the heavier side with the 50% water change weekly. Co2 is working fine with your Co2 ph calculator ph: 7.6 drops to 6.9 at peak. My AR red plant gets green spots and I think it battles algae could it be that I didn’t have a long enough incubation period where the dimmer was on. My light is only on for 6 hours with 1hour where the lights fades on 30 min and fades off 30 min. Thank you in advance.

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

I really don't know anything about your light so I can't really say. You're adjusting red/green/blues but I have no clue if you're just adjusting color temperature or actual spectrum (actual radiation). What does "dosing on the heavier side" mean? How are you dosing "heavier"? Are you dosing an all in one solution heavier? or you dosing more in measurements using a method like EI dosing or PPS dosing? What do you mean "incubation period"?

@vivernpadiachy3528 Жыл бұрын

I'm using the zetlight Lancia 2 i like it because u can set time and spectrum intensity

@Alkizz22 4 жыл бұрын

First, love your videos, very well explained and easy to understand. You def deserv more views and subs! What would you recommend for a 120g , 24'-23' deep? Been looking at sbreef, but their customer service is terrible. Other high-end lights cost like 1200$ to cover my tank. It dosen't need to grow crazy fast but I want to able to add more advanced plants. Pref LED's.

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

Grow light flood lights actually works. I just don't know if you would like the color spectrum. It's pretty warm but that's what i'll be using for my 120g. Otherwise you have to go with the more expensive options. Fluval 3.0 are a good option but you'll most likely need two (depends on the plants you grow).

@Yosh-doesnt-understand Жыл бұрын

I use aqueon optibright. I get good growth with these light. Very good moderate light

@anthonyragan2696 6 жыл бұрын

I use a Planted+ (the version prior to the 24/7) on my 20-long with CO2, and the plants are doing great. I really like the light, but I do wish it had a longer cord. I've a Fluval 2.0 that's going on a 40-breeder I hope to set up soon. One should be enough, as I'm planning on this being a "low tech" tank.

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

That will work!

@joshv2950 5 жыл бұрын

Great videos bro! I definitely like the information your putting out. I'm currently setting up a standard 20 gallon long tank and I would like to do some red plants and dwarf baby tears. I will be doing fertz and co2 in the tank, and probably Amazonia subrate, but I'm not sure what light would be best for it, any help would be appreciated.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Either a finnex CC planted plus or Fluval 3.0 will get you plenty of par and spectrum for growing HC

@joshv2950 5 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox Thanks For getting back to me bro.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

@guineapig6582 Жыл бұрын

Should I buy this lominie bar 15, my tank is only 9 inches deep and it has a hair grass carpet and many red plants, I am currently using a cheap Chinese led light but all my reds are pink, I’m injecting co2 too, but my budget is only 40$ And I want a high tech light for my nano which will bring out those dee0er reds

@alexchoi7296 4 жыл бұрын

Hello. I've been watching your videos about planted tank for few days now. This will be my very first experience on this type of hobby. I would like to have either dwarf baby tear or monte carlo or dwarf hairgrass as my carpet on 10 gallon tank. but at the same time I like to grow many different moss types such as java, christmas, phoenix, and mini pellia. Also want to get water lettuce, dckweed, and java fern. Will I able to keep all those plants in same tank?

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

You can but make sure you have good lighting for something like Dwarf Baby Tears. Everything else you mention will grow fine in moderate lighting. It won't be that expensive for a fixture for a 10g tank. The only probably I see is the water lettuce and duckweed as they grow at the surface of the water and block out light for the carpeting plants at the substrate level.

@aladpoorth847 3 жыл бұрын

Hey! Would you recommend the Finnex Planted+ CC for a high tech 10 gallon tank? I’m trying to grow more demanding reds and I want to know if this would work? I have co2 as well

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

The Planted+ CC will work for high energy tank. yeh

@stvrscream 3 жыл бұрын

I was able to pick up a few Kessil Amazons from a store that closing, so happy they were willing to part with them for $60 a pop! Great videos, my dude.

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

That is awesome!

@davidoverton2295 5 жыл бұрын

Hiya not long subbed can you advise me please on a light unit for a 5x2x2 please I want to try a high light planted for the first time but when it comes to lighting I'm completely clueless.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

5x2x2 feet?

@ThaOfficialFiesty 5 жыл бұрын

I have a fluval Aquasky, if I buy another one and have two on my tank do you think it would be enough light for the plants ? My tank is kinda deep and I think it’s like a 46 gallon bow front, I wanted to carpet some plants

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

It really depends on what carpet you want to grow. I'd put two mainly to provide coverage by the aquasky will get you so far. You should be ok growing say Monte Carlo or Dwarf hairgrass. For more demanding carpets like HC you'll need better lighting and probably Co2 for better success but possible without co2 if you know what you're doing.

@YusoSerious23 5 жыл бұрын

Would you recommend 2-fluval 3.0's on a 40 breeder?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Yes. I have 2x 2.0 on mine it was was great intensity and coverage. One a 40b, two fixtures give the perfect coverage for doing more advanced stuff. If you're doing just a low tech tank then one is enough.

@aryan2837 5 жыл бұрын

I have. 16 gallon dutch style planted tank plz advice to me which led light I use in my Dutch planted tank.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Depends on what you're trying to do. Finnex Planted Plus CC or the Fluval 3.0 planted is always good choices for most things.

@mattvo6578 5 жыл бұрын

Luv your Videos. They really help break down the topics/concepts to digestible bits. Thanks for all your hard work. I do have question concerning lighting.. I am in the process of ordering components for my 90(48"Wx24"Hx18"D) gallon tank that will be running a 5lb CO2 canister, ada aquasoil and growing HC. Could I get away with a single Fluval planted 3.0 LED or a single finnex ray2?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Meh, I'd go with two Fluval 3.0 or two ray2. The tank is deep and in depth to get enough control to reach the substrate for HC. you can try it but it'll be slow growing probably. If you don't mind slow growth. I'd go with the Fluval 3.0 since you can control the intensity.

@mattvo6578 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for getting back to me. Seems like this is not a good lighting solution for my setup(I don't mine slow growth but would like something with a lil more power to penetrate down to the substrate...Do you have any experience with the lighting Systems from SBREEF? Or do you know of a better lighting solution than the fluval 3.0, finnex ray2, or sbreef systems for my tank?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

SBREEF stuff is pretty serious stuff in my opinion. It will work great. Budget wise Fluval 3.0 or the Ray2 or planted+ CC will work great on the double up. Ray2 for deeper penetration but I heard the planted+CC are pretty intense but I haven't had a chance to get one to test.

@shaolinabbot0126 5 жыл бұрын

I have a build I'm doing. The tank is custom 36"x12"x12. I've done planted tanks for 10 years.. I have my co2 tanks still and I'm comfortable with hi-tech. Any suggestions for a shallow long tank like this?? I'm likely going to do an Iwagumi style tank.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

If you're doing an iwaguma style tank, go with the classic and have a carpet of HC. Extreme use of rocks. Stem you can go with but at 12" most will over grow the tank so you'll have to trim a lot. I'd stick with an aquascape using HC and rocks and see what you can scape. Go from there. :)

@mikem602 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome series! What would you suggest for lighting on a 6ft 150 gallon tank. My budget is around 350ish. It will be an Iwagumi style aquarium but I have not yet decided which plants I will use. My biggest problem is the 28inch depth combined with 6 ft length. I was thinking stacking (2) fluval 3.0 in 48 inch. Or should I do 3 chinese black boxes? The tank does have a canopy so I can DIY as well. Your videos have helped me alot and I appreciate the time you take to do this.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Go t5ho for something that big and for setting up a Dutch style tank. More control in spectral range and intensity. I'm not sure the depth (front to back) is but maybe a 6 bulb kit

@mikem602 5 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox i actually have a 4ft 4 bulb t5ho leftover from my reef tank. Ill stick that on and see how much light I get at the bottom. Thank you!

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Then I suggest getting bulbs made for growing plants. Try and get bulbs the reads a green hump with a red spike between 640-670nm. :)

@Greiser556 5 жыл бұрын

I’m considering getting a fluval 3.0 for my 29 gallon tank. Do you think one would provide enough coverage?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

It should for a 29 g.

@sunnycal2293 5 жыл бұрын

Great information. Thank you. So would a kessil A 80 be okay for a 10g tank? I'll have to look into that fixture for I want to know how it is mounted and if the light gives that "wave" effect/movement. Do you know by any chance?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

A kessil a80 might be overboard for a 10g but you can adjust intensity if I'm correct (make sure to look it up). You'll have to get a mounting arm and yes, it'll give that wavey glimmer to your tank from the water surface motions.

@sunnycal2293 5 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox Thank you for your input and info. My upgrade on lights will have to wait now for other expenses just came up. (Car, Vet. check). I'm seeing more people using Kessel lights. I'll have to see about one for a smaller tank when/if I'm ready to upgrade. Seeing how my lights work now with co2

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Kessil are nice! Make sur eyou're getting the Sun Tuna

@sunnycal2293 5 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox I decided on the Twinstar lights two months ago and my plants are doing great now.

@taphazoj4 5 жыл бұрын

15 gal fluval flex running the fluval plant nano 3.0. doing great.

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@taphazoj4 5 жыл бұрын

Welcome back.haha

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@beast_gago2660 3 жыл бұрын

so the fugeray planted plus should be good for a high tech 40 gallon breeder?

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

Yeh, you would want to double it up to provide better coverage from found to back. I had to do that with both the finnex and fluval fresh.

@thebrickmaniac_ 3 жыл бұрын

Would a planted plus be good for a 10 gallon with some valliseneria, and Amazon swords?A majority of the tank is filled with Val.

@TheWaterBox 2 жыл бұрын

Sure. Just have to keep the tank balances with nutrients and co2. You might want to get something with option to adjust intensity though. a Planted+ can get intense on a 10g.

@hugoagogo4324 3 жыл бұрын

Hi mate, I want to do a dry start first but I want high tech lights to grow macrandra and other stuff when I flood it so do u think a fluval would be best job for this ? Thanks buddy

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

It's perfect for it, yes.

@hugoagogo4324 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox brilliant thanks chung

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

@@hugoagogo4324 np!

@whiteboy-lc9rs 3 жыл бұрын

Hi newbie to the channel I have 2x fluval aquarsky on my 250 litre tank got easy grow plants in there I am running both lights with 100% blue 100% red 20% green and 20% white is this good enough to grow plants and stop algea

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

cool

@kenshomi2 5 жыл бұрын

I have a high tech 20x20x20 wanting to move away from two light bars to a single Kessil - Would I need a 360we could I save $100 and go with a 160w?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

That's a pretty square tank. It really depends on what you're trying to grow. What are you trying to grow? If you're planning on grow more light intensive needy plants then stick with the 360w. At least you can adjust the intensity on the Kessils. If you're growing more common stuff, 160w should work. Really depends on what you're trying to grow

@lubazeltov7802 5 жыл бұрын

I watched all your planted tank videos, CO2 videos, balanced tank video. I have learned a lot, thank you so much, but still can’t figure out what’s wrong with my tank. It’s obviously not balanced. I do fertilize, I plan to add CO2 as my last hope and not sure about the lighting. All my plants are low light and supposedly easy to grow, but I can’t even grow Jungle Val, everything is either dying or just not growing. The tank is 48L/24H/12W and there is one 48” Beamswork DA 6500k which most people say is enough for low light plants. And it’s not full spectrum. The Ph is high about 7.8 and the water is hard, but I haven’t measured the exact Gh or Kh. I’ve been struggling for a year, do you have any advice, please? Should I just try CO2 and see if anything changes?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

What's your substrate and if it's hard water (depending on how hard) that can be your problem. Get a GH and KH test kit.

@lubazeltov7802 5 жыл бұрын

My substrate is eco complete and I use root tabs and liquid ferts too. Unfortunately, I only have strip test for GH and it shows the color over 120 and closer to 180, and KH is 71.6 according to API liquid test. So, I guess the GH is the problem?

@corynelson6392 5 жыл бұрын

how do you feel about beamswork lights for plants

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

I hate the crappy one I got. I hard th DA models are much butter but I never Ed used one. Not buying beamswork based on th EA model I got. At least no for a long while until I have extra cash to play with but I have more important things on the list right now.

@outdooradventuresofacityco216 3 жыл бұрын

Just found your channel and this video at just the right time! I have a cycling 185 gallon tank. 30" deep. I want to do low tight plants. What can I do for lighting? I've been looking at everything and all I'm finding is super high end stuff. I don't have a grand to splurge on that stuff right now. Can I get away with flood lights for the time being? What should I look for in a flood light? Wattage? "Full spectrum "? "Kelvin"? Thank you for your videos. Can't wait to go down the rabbit hole.

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

If all you growing is low light demanding green plants, then flood lights is a way to go. Unfortunately, wattage is the only way you can figure out what you need for flood lights unless you have a par meter to see how well it's doing for you. I dunno how long your tank it, but for me, just the top of my head, at 30" deep, I would do maybe 3x 50w floods and go about 7 to 8 hours a day. Or go with something like 3x 25w and go longer like 8 to 10 hours a day. Again, hard to tell without a meter.

@outdooradventuresofacityco216 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox mine is a 60" long x 24" wide x 30" tall.

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

@@outdooradventuresofacityco216 Then 2 might work fine

@outdooradventuresofacityco216 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox I ordered 3 😂 Amazon has a wonderful return policy if it's too much. Thanks again. Love your vids. Can't wait to lean more during my journey

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

@@outdooradventuresofacityco216 Have fun! :)

@ringobernardino5145 3 жыл бұрын

can you please suggest me a good light for 10 gallon tank (50cm x 30cm x 25cm) with glosso stigma carpet and dwarf hairgrass.. this is for me to be guided a starter for this hobby. im thinking about LED or T5 tube

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

The newer Finnex Stingray 2 is good for low light set up. Might also look into NICREW ClassicLED Gen 2 or the Hygger aquarium lights for low tech. For a more high tech set up, finnex planted+ line or fluval fresh planted 3.0 (if you can get them for a 10g).

@RahulSharma-oj4ik 5 жыл бұрын

I am just planning to convert my African Cichlid tank into a planted one ... But the problem is its 30 Inch tall .. with substrate its ~27 Inch (Tank Top to Substrate Surface) What options i have if want to grow plants like Rotala Macrandra and monte Carlos... ?!

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Any of the ones I mentioned in this video should work. I don't know the length of it from front to back but it sounds like you might need two strips for maximum coverage and add par.

@NYC1979 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Chung What do you recommend for 40 gallon b fluval 3.0 or finnex 24/7 cc ? I’m planning on having med to high light plants . Thanks

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Either will work but for either, I would suggest using two fixtures to cover the whole tank. I have two fluval 2.0 on mine and it works perfect for med-high lighting and with the options to lower intensity.

@NYC1979 5 жыл бұрын

The Water Box Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate it. Are both fixtures kinda the same when it comes to par rating?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

About the same yes. The Fluval might be a few points higher. It's a warmer light compared to the finnex CC though. Just a tad from what I see.

@NYC1979 5 жыл бұрын

The Water Box Thank you !!!

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

No Prob

@charliecharls6756 4 жыл бұрын

hi, what do you think abour led chihiros A1201?? btw, very good videos and very helpful you have a new suncriber

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

I hear good things about it. That's about it.

@kidagaming5289 2 жыл бұрын

hi, can the finnex lights can handle plants like Eriocaulon? I have a 12inch deep tank.

@TheWaterBox 2 жыл бұрын

Which finnex? stingray, it'll be low light and the Erio will not do too well, if it's the 24/7 models, then you're fine.

@kidagaming5289 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox thanks i already bought a fluval fresh and plant 3.0 and my plants is doing great.

@kathleenmonsegue9700 5 жыл бұрын

What type of planted tank lights should i get for a 55 gallon tank?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

It depends on what you're trying to do and grow.

@RubenNeil 6 жыл бұрын

What do you think about the auto light cycle in the Fluval light?

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Is that a 3.0 feature? I haven't seen it yet as I only have the 2.0 so I dunno how it works. I need to get one to play with soon. What is is basing the cycle on? The clock? Or some sensor on the lighting kit?

@RubenNeil 6 жыл бұрын

My understanding is, it goes off the time on your phone when you sync it up to the bluetooth, and you can set the times or go off the default where it slowly brightens from say 6am-8am, runs daylight till 5pm, then slowly turns to soft blue from then till 6/7pm or something.

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

AH interesting! Thanks!

@bradhardy829 6 жыл бұрын

I'd also recommend the beamswork series of lights, great price for a great light with quite the cult following

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

@themidger1 6 жыл бұрын

I just bought the da FSPEC, it’s a good light for the money. The seller sent me the wrong one (the da FOWLER for cichlids) at first which seems to happen a lot according to the reviews. Got the correct one last week and my plants suddenly started growing, I get about 0.75 cm/day growth on average from my plants. The power supply (transformer) gets hot though, so that is likely going to be the first failure point. Easy enough to replace when it does burn out though.

@bradhardy829 6 жыл бұрын

themidger1 That power supply does get a bit hot but the 3 I have have been running for 3+ years 10 hours a day...still pumping!

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Nice! Good to hear it's working for you! :)

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

@brad hardy I think many fixtures out there, Brand Name or Off Brand has problems with their power supplies is seems.

@alecgross12 3 жыл бұрын

What's the cheapest, low-tech light that you think would be bright/strong enough to grow carpeting plants such as dwarf hairgrass or hydrocotyle tripartita (12-16 inches deep)?

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

What's the depth from front to back?

@alecgross12 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox 13 inches. 48 long by 13 deep by 12 high (33 long tank) or 16 high (40 long tank, haven’t decided yet)

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

@@alecgross12 You SHOULD be able to get away with using the Nicrew ClassicLED. I'm testing the Hygger lights right now to see how well they work but they are in line with pricing for cheap lighting.

@alecgross12 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox thank you!

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

👍

@frosty9571 5 жыл бұрын

would you say that a high tec tank would be a 20 gallon with no co2 with ada aqua soil

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

Not really. High tech usually mean high lighting, co2 and plenty of nutrients. But people have different opinion on the definition.

@sunnycal2293 5 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox I agree on that about people have different opinions on it. Is high tech also related to a fully planted tank too?

@jascarty3503 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, I'm setting up a 200l metre long aquarium, lowtech but fully planted, I'm using jbl manado substrate and planting lots of crypts, java fern, rotala, s. reopens and l. Sessiliflora, no co2, will be lightly doseing seachem products, what light would you suggest, thanks

@TheWaterBox 2 жыл бұрын

You can get good medium lighting with a nicrew or beamswork if you're looking at budget, otherwise, getting a kit like the Fluval 3.0 or Finnex that allow you to adjust intensity will work fine and leave room to go higher later for more light demanding plants.

@jascarty3503 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox thankyou, I've decided on the aquasky2, thankyou for your reply. 👍

@TheWaterBox 2 жыл бұрын

@@jascarty3503 That should work

@jascarty3503 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox 👌👍

@TheWaterBox 2 жыл бұрын

@@jascarty3503 yw

@darianni16 5 жыл бұрын

I’m looking for a light for a 6ft 125g tank, only for fish no plants any suggestions?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

IF you're going for cheap then you can simply go with T8 and get a fixture at a big box store.

@jesus53404 5 жыл бұрын

Is anyone using AI Primes HD (saltwater version)? If so what setting are you running

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

AH, sorry. Not me but hopefully someone comes along that has.

@jorgegracia2656 6 жыл бұрын

Have you heard of the the Current Led+

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

USA Current?

@jorgegracia2656 6 жыл бұрын

The Water Box yes!

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

I heard it's good but that's it. I haven't used one myself yet.

@zer0deltav367 5 жыл бұрын

On amazon it says that the Finnex Fugeray is only 10 inches long. that's gotta be incorrect, right?

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

You just selected the wrong listing. Find the one that fits your tank. There's different sizes.

@ParteVerdeA 3 жыл бұрын

I used two 50w floodlights and it grew everything, any plant and a lot of algae, what should i do? lift the lights or remove one floodlights? Thanks

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

The easiest thing to do right now is to raise them. How big of a tank is it?

@ParteVerdeA 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox its a small custom tank (90 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm height

@ParteVerdeA 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox how much should i rase?, sadly i don't have a way to read par, but i know the output is 4250 per floodlight, and they are at 30 cm away from the tank, maybe i should try 60cm?

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

@@ParteVerdeA So you're running somewhere a 20g long. That's WAY too much light. I would only do two 20w lights on a tank like that

@ParteVerdeA 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox i will raise the light as much as i can, thanks >.

@qifry5367 2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm what about grow light can you do experiment for aquarium plant that are red pls

@TheWaterBox 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe some time in the future.

@Jcking_PR 3 жыл бұрын

I have 36 gallon bow front 21 inch tall with substrate that plants are 17 or 18 inch of the light I have a Finnex planted 24/7 plus I am looking for put other lamp on my tank you think I should or not?

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

What's the length from front to back?

@Jcking_PR 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox 16 inches

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

@@Jcking_PR You should be fine with one, if you find it's not growing will, you can double up. The problem sometimes with tanks around 40g and more is that need to also work to cover the distance between front to back.

@Jcking_PR 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox I have some red plants that not doing to well and planning to put some carpet on the aquarium

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

Well, it depends on the red plants. Each time of red plants have different needs. Some need more light, some needs little to no nitrates in the tank... etc. I'd suggest looking up those plants online and see how other people are making them red or doing well. However, in MY opinion, for your tank, I would put in another finnex 24/7 and adjust the intensity to fit both. All my tanks greater than 16 in I double up strip fixtures on high tech tanks

@VuHien2011 4 жыл бұрын

@The Water Box Why do you say that red plants need more red? I thought that they are red because that is the color they reject. A color they absorb (and use) is a color you will not see re-emitted from them.

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

Red spectrum helps but the main thing for red plants is more about the intensity that anything. I'm not sure if I mentioned that in this video or not.

@s14tan 6 жыл бұрын

Yo water box is life. I’m about to set up my second tank doing dsm. *edit. I’m using a nicrew 20~ inch light on a 10 gallon.

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Good luck.

@mrbaya2191 4 жыл бұрын

Can you recommend a "budget" medium to high light led? They're very pricey

@TheWaterBox 4 жыл бұрын

Depends on your tank. What size is your tank, specifically the height? What are you trying to grow? What are you trying to do?

@mrbaya2191 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheWaterBox thanks for the reply! I'd also like to say I've just recently discovered your channel and love your content. I have a 55 gallon (48inch long tank) I have monte carlo, Rotalla wallichii, Ludwigia peruensis, ammania senegalensis. Those are my most demanding. I've temporarily put a planted+ on the side with the higher demanding plants and have a singray 2 on the other side. Problem is the difference in brightness (haha) and monte carlo carpet extends to the "low light" side of the tank. Thanks in advance

@TheWaterBox 3 жыл бұрын

Another planted+ is what I would suggest for what you're growing. At 21" tall, you need the light to penetrate and there's no real budget light that does that. that I can find. But the tank is only 13" back to front so you really don't need to double up or just keep what you have now.

@mrbaya2191 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks👍

@26Tackle.reviews 6 жыл бұрын

I had 2 kessil 160w tuna sun on a 6ft 2 2 tank and hated the ripple effect on back glass of blue back tank It even spooked my fish lots Do all LED lights give that ripple effect Im thinking of trying the new juwel helialux LED 1500 and the day/night controller

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Really? That's what I miss using Kessil's is that rippling effect myself. A huge reason for me not to use Kessil right now is pricing when I can grow plants with something at less than 1/2 the cost. Thanks for your insights on your use of Kessils! :)

@26Tackle.reviews 6 жыл бұрын

yes had some peacockbass that the shadows/ripples would send them into a mad spin and act weird in tank and go very dark in colour yes not the best price when you can get others lot better price Do you think T5 tubes give just as good quality light as LED units

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

YES! T5HO works great. It's just more hassel though but I love having a 2 or 4 bulb or even 6 (depending on tank size) as then you can customize the crap of the of lighting. It just costs more to run than LEDs. But if you don't mind all that, it's actually a much better option in my opinion. Just stick with the better grow light bulbs.

@AGENTSIXTY9 6 жыл бұрын

Finnex are awesome lights but I always have to use 2 units per tank to get good color and fast growth

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

How big of a tank and which model of finnex?

@AGENTSIXTY9 6 жыл бұрын

I use two of the planted +247cc and together they are bright and get all my plants red and colorful. Also the pearling I get from both lights is amazing

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

I'm sure. How big of a tank was it?

@AGENTSIXTY9 6 жыл бұрын

The Water Box 20 long and on a fluval spec 16g

@TheWaterBox 6 жыл бұрын

Oh yeh, that'll do it for sure! LOL

@conanruisi 2 жыл бұрын

I’m not as concerned with the quality as I am the adjustability. Do I want it to last me? Yeah but I don’t care if it’s on the cheaper side as long as I can adjust as many different settings as possible

@TheWaterBox 2 жыл бұрын

👍

@klove7365 5 жыл бұрын

Hello do you have any experience was TwinStar S Series 900 I have a 40 gallon acrylic 16 in deep tank I want to know if that would be Overkill I do run CO2 pressurized I'm up in the air about getting the TwinStar or the Fluval 3.0 36in. Please help thank you . I'm growing stem plants such as rotala,. Ludwigia. Rotala Vietnam. Rotala wachilli,. And several different Buce plants. Tank is. 36. Long height is 16 in. And the with is 14 and 1/2 in

@TheWaterBox 5 жыл бұрын

I don't have experience with it but from what I do know, it should work for you. The only problem is the light spread. Might need two but since I'm not too sure how well the twinstar s covers I might be wrong on that. I'd start with one and just see how well it does on that tank.