LED bulbs

Hi. There is a lot of info regarding the wattage for low tech planted setups, but people are posting lot of stuff about how LEDs are not measured the same. There's info on led strips, but I want to use bulbs. I have a standard size 3ft tank. Will these 4 bulbs do the trick? It's the only bulbs I could find that is 6500K. Opple CFls are no longer on the market.
First things first. Why can't I upload photos from my pc? It only asks for an URL? If I can get that sorted I will send the photo.

 

Yes I would understand you not being able to help with the query without the photo. I did not give any info hahaha.

 

What I am basically asking is some guidance on Watt per litre, is lumens important etc etc. Will these 4 bulbs cut it for a low tech planted setup in a standard 3ft tank. These are 5W bulbs with an equivalent of 35W. Some advise would really be appreciated. I could not find any info online regarding the use of LED bulbs.

 

I use 4 X GU10 6W LED downlights im my deep corner tank its low tech and works fine for me. Just make sure your bulbs are in the 6500k spectrum



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I have searched quite a while and @f-fish posted how he uses the 10W bulb from lightworx. Maybe he can help regarding this. I see he paid R120 for 1 bulb. The 4 pack I posted costs only R160 so if those 4 will cut it, it would be a really cheap DIY system.

 

I would rather go the gu10 route or led flood lights

I use 10w led flood lights


http://www.apsa.co.za/xenforo/threads/led-light-globes.15720/

 

That thread got extremely technical very quickly hahaha. Kinda lost them along the way. The first thing I was confused about was why you should add red bulbs along with the LEDs. I dont want my tank to look like my fish are having a rave party. I see you did not go for the bulbs but rather the floodlights. Do you dose and what substrate do you have?

 

I dose scape liquid carbon and scape complete. The substrate is pool filter sand.
I recently started using Co2.
The led flood lights works for me

 

Just get one of these at takealot R849 special

200w Heavy Duty Limited Edition Led Flood Light - Black
Features:
Very low energy consumption.
Up to 90% energy saving.
Long life. Up to 50,000 hours.
No UV or Near-IR radiation.
Mercury-free.

Specifications:
Power: 200w
Input Voltage: AC 90V-260V/50-60 HZ
Power Efficiency: 90%

 

I use this setup . 2 t8 led and 2 t8 standard

 

@rsa do you find that the standard t8 needs to be replaced more often than the led?

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@Lysine not my budget unfortunately. The LED bulb setup will cost me about R300.

 

@HeinrichvH My girlfriend uses two CFL bulbs in her 60L. Gets nice growth with onyx sand substrate(Thats very very old), no CO2 and no ferts. So I want a low maintenance thing. I have Fluorite substrate and just looking to get the lights right. Need something in the 6500K as plants does not even survive in my tank they just die. If they grow slowly with my lights I'll be happy.

 

I use 2 x 5w cool white down lights on my breeding tank. Tank size 900x450x450


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Was joking around

 

@fishanatic . Definitely . Led only to be replaced when they stop working.

 

How do tou setup the down lights. Is it just plug in or donyou need a starter or something

 

LED is normally 12V or 220V.
If it is a 12V you will need a power source that take the 220V down to the 12V required, but normally that is included in the package. No Ballast or starter.
220V, well just plug it in and there you go. Drivers is normally build in. No starter or ballast.

That is how I have it.