Led Lighting For Sump

[Anguilla82]

Hi all,

am currently running an interpet 36w power compact over my sump and am getting good growth but would like to switch it to an LED setup.
I run a 400w MH over main display, so any savings i can make elsewhere is all good!!!!!!

does anyone know if these would be any good for algae growth over my sump?
Algae area of sump is 20" L x 17" W x 20" H

am looking at an all blue board.

http/www.fastlight.co.uk/acatalog/LED_Grow_Boards.html

Rob

 

[AK77]

Hi Rob,

I see no reason why they shouldn't work. They are rated at 465nm which is pretty much smack bang in the middle of the blue spectrum (approx 440-490nm).

I wonder if these would be suitable to cover a display tank too??

 

[Anguilla82]

would there be any problems with just using blue light?

 

[AK77]

Hi Rob,

I wouldn't have thought so. When natural light from the sun hits the sea water, the red spectrum is filtered out before it hits the bottom due to its wavelength and frequency. Blue does reach the bottom and is what the aquatic flora photosynthesize with. The blue end of the spectrum is approximately 440nm to 490nm and these LED's fall within that. Below 440nm I think I'm right in saying you are heading towards the actinics.

If you were concerned that the blue isnt enough, you could go for the mixed board but, I see no reason why they shouldn't do just fine. Its hard to tell how bright the LED's are from the picture though. Some Ive seen look kind of dim, others like Fuzzylight (think its fuzzylight.com) look reeeally bright.

 

[Anguilla82]

mmmm, think i might get a tile and see what they're like. Its only £33 plus postage, so not much.

 

[SkiFletch]

If your goal is refugium growth, I'd get the red/blue mix. Macroalgae can make use of some red wavelength light for photosynthesis as it's typically a shallow-water thing.

 

[Anguilla82]

If your goal is refugium growth, I'd get the red/blue mix. Macroalgae can make use of some red wavelength light for photosynthesis as it's typically a shallow-water thing.

cheers ski

 

[Morri]

£33 is a good price I suspect the LED build I am doing for mine might be a bit more expensive (Can help you make one if needed )

Price roughly for a DIY

Power pack £18 (This will run upto 18 LEDs)
6 x 3w 6500K LED`s £24
1 x big heat sink £12
1 x Acrylic box £10 (using clear off cuts of my hood + Glue)
1 x Buckpuck £13 for non dimming one

Seems expesive when you write it down

Cheaper for me as I had spare LEDs and acrylic already And I needed an addtional power pack to run the blues from.

 

[Anguilla82]

£33 is a good price I suspect the LED build I am doing for mine might be a bit more expensive (Can help you make one if needed )

Price roughly for a DIY

Power pack £18 (This will run upto 18 LEDs)
6 x 3w 6500K LED`s £24
1 x big heat sink £12
1 x Acrylic box £10 (using clear off cuts of my hood + Glue)
1 x Buckpuck £13 for non dimming one

Seems expesive when you write it down

Cheaper for me as I had spare LEDs and acrylic already And I needed an addtional power pack to run the blues from.

mmm yeah that is quite alot. i imaging teh LEDs are of a better quality though.
i think i'll order one and see what they're like.