What light do I get for my medium light 10 gallon tank?

Hi!

I'm starting up my second tank, a 10 gallon, and the lights that come with it are super ****. I have some low light hornwort and amazon swords, but I'm going to be adding some medium-light plants in next week.

I'm a college student, so I don't want to spend a ton, I'm gonna say no more than $40 USD.

So far, I've been suggested the:

NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light

Beamworks Beamswork DA 6500K 0.50W Series LED Pent Aquarium

Finnex fugeray clip on


I've looked around myself and was thinking about the Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light, but I don't know much about it.

Substrate is fluval stratum and I'm not growing anything with high light demands. I also fertilize with liquid weekly and root tabs as needed. Currently no fish added but there will be once fully cycled.


What do you suggest for a heavily planted tank (but not high light demand plants)? Please only suggest lights you've used and been successful with! Thanks

 

I'd go with the Nicrew Classic 2nd Gen light, 18"-24". You'd be spending right around $30 for a pretty good light for low/med plant requirements. The light is rated at 70 PAR @ 12". Which covers your low light to medium light plants.

 

I'd go with the Nicrew Classic 2nd Gen light, 18"-24". You'd be spending right around $30 for a pretty good light for low/med plant requirements. The light is rated at 70 PAR @ 12". Which covers your low light to medium light plants.

I'm starting to lean towards that one because of its reviews on Amazon as well - not nearly as many bad reviews as the other lights.

 

If you're going with low-medium light plants, don't get the finnex fugeray. I don't know if someone else recommended that to you but for low light plants that light will cause algea without co2.

I'd go with the finnex stingray. Perfect for low and medium light plants. very good design and quality and inexpensive.

Here's a good link for it.

Finnex Stingray LED Lights.

 

If you're going with low-medium light plants, don't get the finnex fugeray. I don't know if someone else recommended that to you but for low light plants that light will cause algea without co2.

I'd go with the finnex stingray. Perfect for low and medium light plants. very good design and quality and inexpensive.

Here's a good link for it.

Finnex Stingray LED Lights.

Gotcha - won't get the fugeray. That looks like a nice light! Do you think it's better than the NICREW Classic 2nd gen? If so, why?

 

I have the Current USA Satellite LED+, I think it is a decent light. I'm pretty sure it will give medium light in a 10 Gal, but I have been told it is low light, so I don't know what to believe.

 

I have the Current USA Satellite LED+, I think it is a decent light. I'm pretty sure it will give medium light in a 10 Gal, but I have been told it is low light, so I don't know what to believe.

I also have a Current USA Satellite LED light, the base model. Great for plants requiring low light levels. The Plus is rated at 36 PAR @ 12", which would probably be fine with SOME medium level plants, but not all of them. The Pro is optimal for the medium/high light level plants. Great lights though, water resistant and good design and construction. But over the OP's budget I think.

I'm starting to lean towards that one because of its reviews on Amazon as well - not nearly as many bad reviews as the other lights.

I have used both Finnex lights and Nicrew. I like the Finnex lights slightly more, because they seem better built. If the Finnex Stingray II fits your budget, I would go with them.

 

Gotcha - won't get the fugeray. That looks like a nice light! Do you think it's better than the NICREW Classic 2nd gen? If so, why?

I've never had a nicrew light. But I've heard they're decent but kinda cheaply made. I've have had a beams work, also cheaply made. but not terrible.

I've had a few finnex stingray, excellent build quality and very low profile, as they're super thin. They also lasted much longer than the beamswork light I had. (In fact I still use the stingray) Never had any condensation were the diodes were.

Its up to you. But for what you get if you want something that's gonna last and be worth the money I'd get a stingray.

 

I also have a Current USA Satellite LED light, the base model. Great for plants requiring low light levels. The Plus is rated at 36 PAR @ 12", which would probably be fine with SOME medium level plants, but not all of them. The Pro is optimal for the medium/high light level plants. Great lights though, water resistant and good design and construction. But over the OP's budget I think.




I have used both Finnex lights and Nicrew. I like the Finnex lights slightly more, because they seem better built. If the Finnex Stingray II fits your budget, I would go with them.

It's a bit over budget but since so many people recommend it, I'll probably get the Finnex Stingray II