Id Lighting?

HI all -
I purchased a tank used with all the equipment. Most of the stuff is pretty high quality...I have never put much thought into lighting, but I'd eventually like to do plants, and I know its a consideration. I don't see any markings on my light, so I don't know how to identify it. I took a few pictures...not sure if the pros will know what it is from looking at it. There are three settings - On, off, and blue. The on setting is BRIGHT - much brighter than any other light I've had in the past. Thanks in advance.

James

 

I think that light could grow low to medium light requiring plants.

 

What's the point of the blue? Is it just to look cool, or does it serve a purpose? Should I put it blue overnight and not turn it off?
James

 

The blue is supposed to be a moonlight setting. I really don't use the blue only. From time to time I will when people are over with fish like neon tetras it makes the tank interesting.

 

I'd like to bump this up - I am looking harder at plants and did some research. It said something about wpg to determine what kind of plants I can use, etc. I have NO IDEA what light I have, what bulb, etc. I've never even seen a light like it (See original post). I don't see a bulb, etc. so I don't know what to do if a light goes out. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
James

 

I'd like to bump this up - I am looking harder at plants and did some research. It said something about wpg to determine what kind of plants I can use, etc. I have NO IDEA what light I have, what bulb, etc. I've never even seen a light like it (See original post). I don't see a bulb, etc. so I don't know what to do if a light goes out. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
James

James--this is an LED light, and if an LED burns out...well, that's quite likely going to be a decade down the road unless one is faulty, and you probably won't even notice just one. If it seems to be putting out a nice bright light it will probably be suitable for many plants. I would look into seeing if either your local fish store or aquarium club has a lumen or PAR meter they could rent or lend you, just to confirm where this falls in your setup and what plants it would be best at. Most hobbists are switching to or already use LED lighting in their aquariums. That looks pretty similar to a Koval (link), but really could be just about anything--most low-end LEDs look pretty similar. There SHOULD be some manufacturers mark somewhere on the casing, along with information. about the watts, lumens and kelvin rating. The blue is "moonlight" which is mainly important for saltwater setups since coral feeds around the clock, even when the fishies need their sleep.

 

It almost looks like a Beamswork light, I have 2 ET-120 lights running on my system and they grow low-medium plants well. LED lights really aren't rated by watts, they are rated by lumen.

 

I'd like to bump this up - I am looking harder at plants and did some research. It said something about wpg to determine what kind of plants I can use, etc. I have NO IDEA what light I have, what bulb, etc. I've never even seen a light like it (See original post). I don't see a bulb, etc. so I don't know what to do if a light goes out. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
James

And wpg or "watts per gallon" is a little outdated--mostly it refers to florescent. The watts per gallon for LEDs are highly variable, based on quality of the LEDs. If you find the manufacturer and your light's watts, this is an interesting article to get you started on understanding if it is enough for the plants you have in mind or not:

 

Thanks for the info! I see no names on the light at all, so likely I will never find out who makes it. Likely it's some cheap LED - either way, it's bright, and knowing that LED's last for a long time, I'm not concerned. I was thinking of throwing some Java Fern/Java Moss in and calling it a day, so it should be easy

Thanks all!
James