Best light for Mid light plants?

Ok, I'm down to these. I just need to grow amazon swords, Helanthium tenellum and water sprite, jungle vals, dwarf chain sword and some other mid light plants.

1. FinalFins recommendation. Nicrew Classic LED

2. High rated light on all plant light lists. Amazon.com : Beamswork DA 6500K 0.50W Series LED Pent Aquarium Light Freshwater Plant Discus (80cm - 30") : Pet Supplies

3. Another high rate light on lists but usually ranks slightly lower.

4. Recommend to me by one of you (sorry). Adjustable lighting (I like that feature)

5. Another light recommended to me by one of you. Only white and blue LEDs though. Nicrew Aquarium Planted Light

6. I really don't have anything to say about this. Finnex Stingray

7. Expensive so I'll have to hold off getting anything new for my tank for awhile. I do like the 24/ feature though. Recommended by angelcraze

 

Is it good for growing mid light plants? What are your experiences with it? Thanks in advance!

I have heard it is good at growing most plants but there's a light called the Beamswork Freshwater Pent on Amazon and I personally use these too grow plants in planted tanks with co2. The plants all grow well with that light and honestly, I think it does a better or equivalent job at growing plants then the stingray. The design is also much better and the light feels super sturdy and capable. Its just a really good light for the money. I wouldn't get the full spectrum version because the colors are just ridiculously ugly looking. Go with the 6,500k 0.50 w version. 0.50w means 0.50w per individual led and there's tons of them on this light so in total its a lot of watts and also high lumen.

 

Thanks. How much was it?

 

What size tank are you planning on using? Something like a 20 gallon would grow medium light plants no problem

 

36 bow

 

36 bow

You should be fine. On a 10 gallon the PAR measured 62 so you should be able to grow medium light plants in your 36. I’m personally a fan of the AquaSky or Plant

 

Aquarium Co-op uses stingray on their plant tanks and everything looks pretty healthy in there. For the price they’re good lights.
I can’t stand the led frequency of stingray or beam works so I’ve stuck with fluval - which has been great so far. But I’m a weird migraine prone case.

 

I like Beamswork light a lot b/c of the price.

What do you think about this light? BeamsWork EA Timer FSPEC LED Aquarium Light Freshwwater Plant Extendable (60cm - 24"
or this one?

 

What do you think about this light? Amazon.com : BeamsWork EA Timer FSPEC LED Aquarium Light Freshwwater Plant Extendable (60cm - 24") : Pet Supplies
or this one?

I’ve never personally looked into the Beamswork but when I compare lights I’m looking at PAR rating, consumer ratings, price, and functionality.

 

I’ve never personally looked into the Beamswork but when I compare lights I’m looking at PAR rating, consumer ratings, price, and functionality.

I don't want to spend more than $45 on a light. Preferably <$35. Can you just recommend one to me please. I either need a 30" or 24".

Edit: I may just bite the bullet and spend 60 on the stingray 2.

 

I don't want to spend more than $45 on a light. Preferably <$35. Can you just recommend one to me please. I either need a 30" or 24".

Let me look into these and I’ll get back soon!

EDIT: Ok, so I would suggest the first one as it’s 10000K compared to the 6500K

 

Let me look into these and I’ll get back soon!

Thanks!

 

I don't want to spend more than $45 on a light. Preferably <$35. Can you just recommend one to me please. I either need a 30" or 24".

Edit: I may just bite the bullet and spend 60 on the stingray 2.

I posted a similar post recently as well. Not a lot of people using the V2 but from my research it seems like a great light.

I'm real close to pulling the trigger as well.

 

Thanks!

If you can spend the extra get the stingray 2 if not go with the first link you suggested. I believe the LEDS we have now will pretty much grow anything

 

Well I just won a contest so I o have a little extra money. Right now I have a 10watt! EEEEKKKKKKKKKKK This is desperately needed!

 

Well I just won a contest so I o have a little extra money. Right now I have a 10w! EEEEKKKKKKKKKKK This is desperately needed!

Nice! I definitely think it’s time to upgrade as well

 

Do you think that a 30" would fit or should I go with the 24"?

 

Sounds like it's the right time to pull the trigger! Then you can be the test subject for us all as well!

 

Do you think that a 30" would fit or should I go with the 24"?

I would do the 30” the led bar will be longer than the 24”

 

I just wasn't sure if it would fit. I just remembered! I got a 25$ amazon gift card for Christmas that I haven't used! Great! Now I'm only spending $40 for a light!

 

Yeah I would do the 30 for sure.

 

I like Beamswork light a lot b/c of the price.

What do you think about this light? Amazon.com : BeamsWork EA Timer FSPEC LED Aquarium Light Freshwwater Plant Extendable (60cm - 24") : Pet Supplies
or this one? https://www.amazon.com/Beamswork-Timer-6500K-Aquarium-Freshwater/dp/B01A9F85SY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=beamswork+plant+light&qid=1583857021&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWjkwOEVIUFNXTjNLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDE0NTUyMzFVQk1JNVVJVzZOSyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTUwNTYzQ0NHWURYOUZBSFI4JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

I have the BW EA fspec on my 33g (18" deep). I didn't find it was bright enough for me. Just being honest. The DA series is lots of light, but I had to add a supplemental light to grow stargrass.

And just FYI, I personally don't like the yellow CRI of BW's 6500k.

 

I have the BW EA fspec on my 33 gallon (18" deep). I didn't find it was bright enough for me. Just being honest. The DA series is lots of light, but I had to add a supplemental light to grow stargrass.

Thanks. I'm going with the ray2 so all good. Hence this post.

I just wasn't sure if it would fit. I just remembered! I got a 25$ amazon gift card for Christmas that I haven't used! Great! Now I'm only spending $40 for a light!

 

Thanks. I'm going with the ray2 so all good. Hence this post.

Oh ok, I couldn't figure out what you were going with. I have the Ray II on another 33g and it is lots of light. I actually added a pink light filter bc it was too much light and i'm not a fan of Finnex 7000k. I know, i'm picky with migraines as well.

 

Oh ok, I couldn't figure out what you were going with. I have the Ray II on another 33 gallon and it is lots of light. I actually added a pink light filter bc it was too much light and i'm not a fan of Finnex 7000k. I know, i'm picky with migraines as well.

Does it grow plant well? My tank is 21" high and has black sand so I should be fine.

 

Does it grow plant well? My tank is 21" high and has black sand so I should be fine.

Well because of the cool spectrum, the plants grow very compact. I have to revamp that tank, it never grew well since I got the light, but I just rolled with it anyway. I think it's something else besides the light. It has java fern, hygro angustifolia and crypt, a taiwan lotus, crinum natans and water lettuce. They do fine.

 

Well because of the cool spectrum, the plants grow very compact. I have to revamp that tank, it never grew well since I got the light, but I just rolled with it anyway. I think it's something else besides the light. It has java fern, hygro angustifolia and crypt, a taiwan lotus, crinum natans and water lettuce. They do fine.

I'm confused? You said that they grew compact but that you had to revamp and now nothing is growing. I want a jungle.

 

I'm confused? You said that they grew compact but that you had to revamp and now nothing is growing. I want a jungle.

I found compact growth was very slow. But honestly I think it's too much light and i'm lacking other things like minerals and co2 to support the high light. I don't think it's fair for me to compare growth on this tank.

I have crypt, crinum natans, hygro angustifolia, java fern and taiwan lotus in there.

It's def capable of growing plants. It has PAR values similar to the Finnex 24/7 and Beamswork DA series.

 

I found compact growth was very slow. But honestly I think it's too much light and i'm lacking other things like minerals and co2 to support the high light. I don't think it's fair for me to compare growth on this tank.

I have crypt, crinum natans, hygro angustifolia, java fern and taiwan lotus in there.

It's def capable of growing plants. It has PAR values similar to the Finnex 24/7 and Beamswork DA series.

Just to make sure everyone’s on the same page! Do you have the Stingray 2 or Ray2?

Kind of confusing to have to lights so similarly named but they are two different lights. I thing the Ray2 is a little older where the Stingray 2 came out in the last year or so.

 

Just to make sure everyone’s on the same page! Do you have the Stingray 2 or Ray2?

Kind of confusing to have to lights so similarly named but they are two different lights. I thing the Ray2 is a little older where the Stingray 2 came out in the last year or so.

It's the old Ray II. Been on the tank for a couple years, I bought it used.

Amazoniantanklvr To explain the problem with growing plants, my tank was suffering before I put the light on, so I had to revamp it before that to be able to fully give a good review. But it is capable of growing plants well according to the PAR values, I just never got the balance in that tank. Sorry to confuse you!

 

It's the old Ray II. Been on the tank for a couple years, I bought it used.

That makes sense!

From all the lighting research I’ve done lately I’m pretty sure that is a pretty high PAR light. So your theory on too much light is probably on the right track.

so Amazoniantanklvr I think you’ll still be safe to give the Stingray 2 a go!

 

so Amazoniantanklvr I think you’ll still be safe to give the Stingray 2 a go!

Oops sorry again! I thought you meant the Ray II.

 

Ok everybody, I will be getting the stingray 2. Is that clear? Lol

Cool!

excited to hear what your results are. My tank is 24in high so you’ll be a nice comparison for me.

Be sure to update with how you and your plants are liking it.

 

Thanks. How much was it?

About 45 bucks. Which doesn't seem cheap but what light is cheap that isn't garbage

 

Ok everybody, I will be getting the stingray 2. Is that clear? Lol

Cool!

excited to hear what your results are. My tank is 24in high so you’ll be a nice comparison for me.

Be sure to update with how you and your plants are liking it.

ok, will do!

About 45 bucks. Which doesn't seem cheap but what light is cheap that isn't garbage

Yeah, the stingray 2 is about $55

What light?
Results and/or pictures?
(optional) Huw much did it cost you?
Do you have cO2?
Low, mid or high light?

Everyone recommends a different light for a planted tank and I'm curious as to what light you use. I don't have a good light right now but am going to get the Finnex Stingray 2.

 

I use the fluval planted led 3.0 on most of my tanks along with the Vivagrow 24/7 LED's

 

I use the fluval planted led 3.0 on most of my tanks along with the Vivagrow 24/7 LED's

Both on one tank? The 3.0 is expensive!

 

Fluval Aquasky 2.0
Cost around £100
The plants aren’t demanding but they’ve done better with this light over the stock lights.
No CO2 or ferts but I have used a Aquasoil

 

Both on one tank? The 3.0 is expensive!

On my 125 yes, I use the Fluval planted 48" and 2-36" Vivagrow The Fluval was around 180.00 plus tax

 

- Aqueon 30" LED strip light, and there's another light that's built under the cupboard the tank is under.
- So far my plants are still alive.
- Don't remember the cost, $30 maybe?
- No CO2 yet
- I'd say it's medium

 

I use the marineland strip less on my 55 (the ones that clip to the inner rI'm of the tank).

The photos are my 60 gallonlivebearer tank. The light is just a 4ft led shop light I ziptied to a cover I made (the blue part on back is an aluminum straightedge I had lying around. I needed it to hold the legs/uprights vertical).

Then the pvc lids I made last night. Cost about $12 or 15 each, but simpler and cheaper and less breakable than the glass store ones. (Dremel with spiral bit for the hose holes and a hole saw for the handle holes, but either tool could do both).

 

Finnex planted plus 24/7 KLC. I’d say it’s medium light. No CO2, just root tabs and liquid fert. I’m happy with the results

 

Finnex planted plus 24/7 KLC. I’d say it’s medium light. No CO2, just root tabs and liquid fert. I’m happy with the results

Looks great!
How deep is the tank?

 

What light?
Results and/or pictures?
(optional) Huw much did it cost you?
Do you have cO2?
Low, mid or high light?

Everyone recommends a different light for a planted tank and I'm curious as to what light you use. I don't have a good light right now but am going to get the Finnex Stingray 2.

I won’t share all the tanks here, going to do that shortly on another thread.

But the 45g now has 2 fluval plant spectrum 3.0, was tired of knowing it wasn’t getting enough light - however even with 1 it got to this point here.

The 4 month old 5 gallon has had the flex fluval light and thanks to shrimp and snails minimal algae with those blue lights.

The 2.5g fluval nano jacked the red and blue lights up, which I just turned back down tyvm, but it’s done well until this algae bloom.

I use fluval lighting on all my tanks and think they’re great.

 

Finnex planted plus 24/7 HLC. for my 29 gallon. its nice since I can program it to be on certain hours. plants seem to love it. only cost 70$

 

I won’t share all the tanks here, going to do that shortly on another thread.

But the 45g now has 2 fluval plant spectrum 3.0, was tired of knowing it wasn’t getting enough light - however even with 1 it got to this point here.

The 4 month old 5 gallon has had the flex fluval light and thanks to shrimp and snails minimal algae with those blue lights.

The 2.5 gallon fluval nano jacked the red and blue lights up, which I just turned back down tyvm, but it’s done well until this algae bloom.

I use fluval lighting on all my tanks and think they’re great.
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They all look great to me!

 

5g and 10 gallon have aqueon planted clip-on led. The plants grow ok, but the one thing that really seems to thrive is hair algae :/ ($27)

20g long has nicrew led plus and the plants seem to grow very well in that tank. ($43 for 30")

20g high has nicrew bright led and the plants also seem to grow well in that tank though the eco complete probably helps a bit too. ($25)

 

Looks great!
How deep is the tank?

16”

 

Are you sure that it will work? I'm having second thoughts. is there any other light they you'd recommend. I'm thinking about the finnex planted plus. also thinking about koval.

 

I went with with Planted+ over the SR2 for the ability to customize and essentially set your own lighting schedule. I think my KLC was like $80 off Amazon

This is the light I use