Recommendations for LED for Glo fish and live plants?

So my Top Fin 55 gal tank lighting system crapped out, changed bulbs, changed starters. It's 10 years old, so I think it was just its time to go.

Seems LEDs are the thing these days, I have glo tetras and live plants, I've been using the floramax bulbs to provide growth light for the plants as well as give the glofish their flair.

Looking for a good LED recommendation that will serve as a good replacement that will function in performance to the floramax bulbs. thanks!

 

There are many options. You will want to try to narrow down your options based on what you are trying to achieve. If all you have are some low-to-medium light plants and your not using CO2 there are still a lot to choose from. Most of them come with some ability to program the light. This is not necessary, however since most are coming that way now it's worth thinking about what features.you may want.

Some examples of programmable features include ramping up or down This allows you to set light so that it gradually comes on and gradually shuts down instead of instant on or off. Some will have a 15min ramp time and some will be unlimited. Some will allow you to control the light spectrum by increasing or decreasing individual groups of LEDs. For example, I like to increase the reds and decrease the bluess at the end of the day to mimic the natural light cycle. It gives a very pleasing feel to the tank and reds in the fish pop. IMO, the ability to control light intensity can be very helpful not only for esthetics, but also for controlling algae as well being good for some fish that prefer dimmer conditions.

Check in here when you find a light you like. Chances are good that someone here has used it and can offer some feedback.

Some names that often come up here when talking about good entry level lights are Hyyger, Finnex, Nicrew. They each offer several models, so it's good to know what features are important to you.

 

There are many options. You will want to try to narrow down your options based on what you are trying to achieve. If all you have are some low-to-medium light plants and your not using CO2 there are still a lot to choose from. Most of them come with some ability to program the light. This is not necessary, however since most are coming that way now it's worth thinking about what features.you may want.

Some examples of programmable features include ramping up or down This allows you to set light so that it gradually comes on and gradually shuts down instead of instant on or off. Some will have a 15min ramp time and some will be unlimited. Some will allow you to control the light spectrum by increasing or decreasing individual groups of LEDs. For example, I like to increase the reds and decrease the bluess at the end of the day to mimic the natural light cycle. It gives a very pleasing feel to the tank and reds in the fish pop. IMO, the ability to control light intensity can be very helpful not only for esthetics, but also for controlling algae as well being good for some fish that prefer dimmer conditions.

Check in here when you find a light you like. Chances are good that someone here has used it and can offer some feedback.

Some names that often come up here when talking about good entry level lights are Hyyger, Finnex, Nicrew. They each offer several models, so it's good to know what features are important to you.

Thanks for that! I had no clue there were so many options! Yes the planets I have a thriving without a CO2 system, only using the floramax bulbs.

Should there be any specific specs I should be looking for to augment the GloFish colors?

 

Good question. I've never kept glofish. I know there are lights sold as glofish lights and some have a blacklight option, but I don't know if that is necessary to enhance their colors or not.

It's my understanding that the glofish absorb mostly ultraviolet light. A regular plant light that allows you to accentuate the blue spectrum will help. A florescent actinic bulb is considered perfect for them. Apparently the colors of blue and purple glofish don't do much without the higher wavelengths.

I did find this: "It is mostly Black light that has UV light and little amount of visible light to make the GloFish glow. The GloFish will not absorb light or emit light unless the light illuminates UV light. "



Hopefully someone with glofish experience will chime in.

 

Good question. I've never kept glofish. I know there are lights sold as glofish lights and some have a blacklight option, but I don't know if that is necessary to enhance their colors or not.

It's my understanding that the glofish absorb mostly ultraviolet light. A regular plant light that allows you to accentuate the blue spectrum will help. A florescent actinic bulb is considered perfect for them. Apparently the colors of blue and purple glofish don't do much without the higher wavelengths.

I did find this: "It is mostly Black light that has UV light and little amount of visible light to make the GloFish glow. The GloFish will not absorb light or emit light unless the light illuminates UV light. "



Hopefully someone with glofish experience will chime in.

Thanks for that! I wonder how the GloFIsh community is adapting to that, given that fluorescent lights are being phased out. I've seen a lot of LEDs that have a blue light option, but wonder now if I should be finding a UV led, since i have live plants too

 

GloFish brand has their own lights. Their primary purpose is to illuminate the Glofish. Not sure if any of them would grow plants.

Does your LFS have a Glofish display that looks good to you? If so, maybe ask them what they are using for lights.

You may need to by a plant light and then add one of these: probably the GloFish Blue LED Lights
Lighting | GloFish®

 

Most glo-fish displays at the lfs's around me have black lights and artificial plants in the tank.

I've seen some with what appears to be standard lighting and the fish appear washed out. Thinking a broad spectrum light with adjustable parameters might be your best bet....just not sure how the plants are going to take to that. You might have to setup a personalized program where during the day the light is on for the plants to allow them to grow then it ramps down to a glo-fish setting for your viewing.