40b Lighting Recommendations For A Planted Tank?

Hello,

I'm planning a planted tank in my bedroom and I'm considering LED lighting options. I would like to keep from spending over $100 on a light, but I'd also like at least a light that would give medium light levels. I'm on a budget, so I'm planning my stock around what I can afford in terms of lighting and substrate instead of the other way around. I'd also like something where the spectrum can be altered so it doesn't bother me too much as the day transitions to night, since this will be in my bedroom.

I'd love high light but I don't think I am interested in setting up a CO2 system. LED is a must because the room I'm putting it in is warmer than the rest of the house, and I'm really fighting against heat enough as it is without putting up other types of lighting systems. We keep our house at 76 during the summer and in that room it's right around 80 , so I don't think fish would appreciate a CFL hanging above them adding a few degrees to the tank.

I was looking at the Finnex Planted+ 24/7 but it's a little too expensive for me right now. Do they ever go on sale anywhere? Also, would that provide too much lighting in a 40B? I've looked at others, but they're either cheaply made (prone to falling in the water + no water resistance) or the light on them isn't alterable. Any recommendations?

 

I just ordered this after a few people highly recommended it, I’m still waiting on it but it seems nice and fairly priced. Also on amazon.

There are different sizes...

 

I have a Beamswork DA on my 40 gallon planted tank with a dimmer switch to keep the light cool. LEDs will get just as warm/hot as a CFL at full brightness. I have other lower power lights that don't need a dimmer to run cooler but they're also not nearly as bright. I keep my light at just under full bright and it stays cool enough when on but still brighter than my other LED lights.

I would stay away from CO2 with lights within your budget. If the light fails, your fish will suffocate and die because the plants won't be able to process the CO2 in the tank w/o light.

No light that I'm aware of will be water proof/resistant for under $100. I've never heard of any falling into the tank w/o user error.

Beamswork DA 36" $50


Dimmer $6


I also use a smart plug to schedule the light to go on and off.

 

I have a Beamswork DA on my 40 gallon planted tank with a dimmer switch to keep the light cool. LEDs will get just as warm/hot as a CFL at full brightness. I have other lower power lights that don't need a dimmer to run cooler but they're also not nearly as bright. I keep my light at just under full bright and it stays cool enough when on but still brighter than my other LED lights.

I would stay away from CO2 with lights within your budget. If the light fails, your fish will suffocate and die because the plants won't be able to process the CO2 in the tank w/o light.

No light that I'm aware of will be water proof/resistant for under $100. I've never heard of any falling into the tank w/o user error.

Beamswork DA 36" $50


Dimmer $6


I also use a smart plug to schedule the light to go on and off.

I was looking at that, but of course the lack of internal dimmer was holding me back. I may consider it.

LED consumes much less electricity and is known for putting out much less heat than other light sources. I'm not experienced with aquarium lighting so I don't know if there are differences between those and conventional light bulbs, but energy consumption and the prospect of not having to replace a light bulb for years is also a big factor for me.

As far as lights falling into the tank w/o user error, maybe so. I am clumsy though, lol. I've knocked my clip on LED's into my 10 gallon numerous times. So it brings me to the question, do the brackets easily come completely out of the light unit?, or is there a decent enough catch so that somebody like me cannot knock them out accidentally?

 

What you're looking for is the Fluval Plant 3.0. It checks off everything you want in a light. Unfortunately, it's $160 for a 36" version.

High powered LEDs still throw off a lot of heat. My Fluval 2.0 has heat sinks on top. The Beamswork DA should've come with heatsinks because it can get very warm too. The light has 2 brackets on each side that sits on top of the frame. It would be hard to purposely knock it into the tank so I think you'll be safe.

With the dimmer, it's a great light and stays cool but still very bright.