Switching to LEDs?

[LanaK]

As my fluorescent lights and fixtures start to fail, I am thinking about switching to LEDs instead.  I have found a lot of info about them and have a friend who uses them on all of his saltwater tanks, but I was looking for anyone with experience using them for fresh water tanks that are fairly heavily planted.  Most of my plants are low light, but I am betting they could benefit from some better lighting.

Any suggestions on specific fixtures and types of lights and what warmth they should run at for freshwater plants

[linuxrulesusa]

I looked into them for SW and to get decent ones to grow high light corals (or in your case plants) you'll be putting out a chunk of money...and depending on your number of tanks, it may take a while to break even on fixture cost vs. energy cost of regular fluorescents. 

Are you using T8s or T5s?  What kind of plants?  That will make a huge difference. 

For say crypts you might get by with something like a Marineland single or possibly double bright...but for say Amazon Swords I'd think you'd be looking at a custom DIY or a higher output fixture.  If you go custom, then I think you'd want a series of 1W or 3W LEDs...the little 0.25W or less LEDs that are in a lot of lights just won't cut it for growing things, though they make the fish look nice.

[LanaK]

I mostly do Java Moss, Java Fern, Tall Val, various Anubus, and am trying to do Crypts, with moderate luck.  Basically whatever my fish won't kill / destroy.  I like to have heavily planted tanks though and would love some more growth from everyone and more to sell at the auctions.  I know the cost is sorta crazy, but as fixtures break, I figure why not at least try out a LED fixture on a tank or two to see how it goes... plus it would be nice not to be the number one energy user in my neighborhood (thanks DTE for bringing that to my attention).

[atmagoulick]

I looked into leds, but went with metal halide.  Now, I am switching to 10,000k fluorescent.  I switch back and fourth.  Coralife makes a cheap double t5 fluorescent.  I'd suggest two or three Coralife double fluorescent strips across the top of your tank.  Two if it is t8 and three if it is t5.  The good thing is one t5 will keep your plants growing, but they will flourish with more.  20,000k metal halide did not make the plants grow faster, but the fish love the shadows it creates.  The led lights I looked at were expensive.  Another double fluorescent strip light is cheap from coralife on www.amazon.com.  Here are pics of my two 90 gallons; one with fluorescent, and the other with metal halide.

I grow Amazon swords and crypts.  They grow faster under 10,000k fluorescent.  If you are interested, I can give you a detailed list of the plants.

[OTE]

If you are looking to get a light more suitable for growing plants, you can check out our double bulb 36" Fluorescent fixture that comes with 10,000K 30" 25 watt Corallife bulbs. We have had many satisfied customers with this fixture.

you can check it out here http://www.aquariumframeswholesale.com/assembled-strip-lights.  Just scroll to the bottom of the page

[LanaK]

Great looking tanks!  Thanks for the advice... given pricing I think I will be sticking to the high output fluorescents.  Ordered one of those ones you recommended, should arrive today, I will let people know if I see a difference!

I looked into leds, but went with metal halide.  Now, I am switching to 10,000k fluorescent.  I switch back and fourth.  Coralife makes a cheap double t5 fluorescent.  I'd suggest two or three Coralife double fluorescent strips across the top of your tank.  Two if it is t8 and three if it is t5.  The good thing is one t5 will keep your plants growing, but they will flourish with more.  20,000k metal halide did not make the plants grow faster, but the fish love the shadows it creates.  The led lights I looked at were expensive.  Another double fluorescent strip light is cheap from coralife on www.amazon.com.  Here are pics of my two 90 gallons; one with fluorescent, and the other with metal halide.

I grow Amazon swords and crypts.  They grow faster under 10,000k fluorescent.  If you are interested, I can give you a detailed list of the plants.

[atmagoulick]

That strip will get you started.  I have to tell you that I take no responsibility in this information.  Build on your own risk.  However, metal halides are cheap also.  Ballasts come pre wired on amazon.com.  Here is a link for a 175w ballast.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YO3ZQ0/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

you will need three fans; one for the ballast, and two for the bulb.  I use these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H27GJY/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then you need a ceramic mogul socket.  This one would work.

http://www.amazon.com/Ceramic-H-I-D-Mogul-Base-Socket/dp/B000XVNPBW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1386616436&sr=8-6&keywords=ceramic+light+socket+mogul+base

Then a bulb from 1000'sbulbs.com

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/86240/MHS-01752402.html

You will need to use 16 gauge wire.  Also, you will have to build a hood, and an electrical box to hold the ballast.  This is my metal halide system.  It is nice to have.  I built an electrical box and put a fan on the ballast.  The ballast gets hot!  The bulb will also get hot!

This is the product used to kill blue green algae.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QSK31M/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Let me know how it goes.