Leds Lightly Planted Tank? Glass Top A Necessity?

HI All,

I am setting up a 29 gallon lightly planted (easy plants) tank. This is my first time setting up a planted tank and I am looking for a budget led for it. I have done some research and narrowed it down to beamswork, nicrew, aquaneat and chihiros. Any suggestions which one is better? Or any other led in the similar budget? Also, is it necessary to cover the tank with a glass top when using any of these leds? I have a wooden canopy and was wondering if I can skip the glass top.

 

Chihiros all the way.

Nope! In fact, I'd advise against a glass top if you want plants. Limits gas exchange, and tends to get fogged up or water stained which limits lighting power.

 

Okay thank you

 

I have chihiros for both my tanks. Great budget leds. Grows plants well enough. All my tanks have no lids

 

Awesome, thank you.

 

Petworx

 

Petworx

This seems expensive :/

 

This seems expensive :/

Must be a location thing they’re cheap here in Australia

 

Must be a location thing they’re cheap here in Australia

Wow. Yea probaby location, seem nice though.

 

NewToFishHobby
After trying all the lights you mentioned. Chihiros is my go to light. As far as the glass lids, it depends on your choice of inhabitants. Some fish, snails and shrimp are escape artists and known jumpers. I have read quite a few posts of members losing some of their stock. All my tanks have lids.
Best of Luck on whatever you decide.

 

NewToFishHobby
After trying all the lights you mentioned. Chihiros is my go to light. As far as the glass lids, it depends on your choice of inhabitants. Some fish, snails and shrimp are escape artists and known jumpers. I have read quite a few posts of members losing some of their stock. All my tanks have lids.
Best of Luck on whatever you decide.

I have NICREW and COODIA lights, and have been pleased with them and the plants I get. I might give Chihiros a try though, given the reviews here

And agree--aquarium covers are more important for your more animate aquarium inhabitants than for plants. I had a kuhlI loach jump last week, 1 of the 5 I had bought the day before. He was far gone by the time I found him. I had endler and betta in the same tank, but I think I just lucked out in that hadn't jumped, since many people's do. And I did have one of my nerite snails escape another setup, but it was OK after I popped it back in.

 

for a lid, if you have jumpers, a diy screen lid is far better. Allows all the light through, gas exchange, and looks better then glass imo. Easy to make, you can make one for around $10, which is cheaper then glass.

 

for a lid, if you have jumpers, a diy screen lid is far better. Allows all the light through, gas exchange, and looks better then glass imo. Easy to make, you can make one for around $10, which is cheaper then glass.

Thanks I'll check that. I haven't really thought what kind of fish I'll keep - probably tetras and cory.

I do have a wooden hood. So I wasn't sure if I still need a glass lid. My main concern was - if I don't have a glass lid, is it going to damage the led? Most of them say - glass lid required.

Must be a location thing they’re cheap here in Australia

Just realized, I was checking the price of a different model

 

for a lid, if you have jumpers, a diy screen lid is far better. Allows all the light through, gas exchange, and looks better then glass imo. Easy to make, you can make one for around $10, which is cheaper then glass.

Thanks I'll check that. I haven't really thought what kind of fish I'll keep - probably tetras and cory.

I do have a wooden hood. So I wasn't sure if I still need a glass lid. My main concern was - if I don't have a glass lid, is it going to damage the led? Most of them say - glass lid required.


Just realized, I was checking the wrong thing

The issue with many LEDs is they are not waterproof, and there is the possibility for condensation (while off) or splashes. The Nicrew and Coodia come with a thin plastic sheet over the LEDs and I have never had any issue with condensation. I HAVE splashed the entire thing and ended up with water inside my Nicrew...I poured it out, no problem >_> Most of the less expensive LED lights don't have the best brackets for securing them to the tank--if you have the possibility of the entire thing falling into the tank if one side slips, the you will want some kind of cover, but a screen will work

 

I use the Beamswork DA LED on my 55. It's been great so far and grows plants very well. It's pretty bright as well.

 

I got a super cheap Submersible LED from walmart, it's probably best suited for a 10 gallon, and can be used in or out of the water pretty well. (I prefer either just at the top of the waterline or sitting above the tank)
I know some people submerse theirs under gravel which has an interesting glow to it.

You're probably better off getting something a bit more spendy in your case, but sometimes super cheap LEDs work just as well as expensive ones.

 

The issue with many LEDs is they are not waterproof, and there is the possibility for condensation (while off) or splashes. The Nicrew and Coodia come with a thin plastic sheet over the LEDs and I have never had any issue with condensation. I HAVE splashed the entire thing and ended up with water inside my Nicrew...I poured it out, no problem >_> Most of the less expensive LED lights don't have the best brackets for securing them to the tank--if you have the possibility of the entire thing falling into the tank if one side slips, the you will want some kind of cover, but a screen will work

Wow that's interesting. Thanks for the info.