LED's for Cheato growth

sahin · 07/12/2011, 08:03 AM

Has anyone built a simple low power sump light with LED’s in order to grow cheatomorpha? If so, please detail how many LED’s used, what current and which kind of LED’s used. I need a little boost in my phosphate uptake. Please restrict the discussion only to the use of LED’s to use as a cheato grow light. Many thanks.

SoFloReefer · 07/12/2011, 08:09 AM

I would go with a mix of neutral whites and warm white LEDs. I would think that ten or less LEDs on one constant voltage driver on a small heat sink would give you more than enough light. If I had a sump, this is what I would do.

moonpod · 07/12/2011, 09:44 AM

I went overboard. I used a rapidled 12 led kit w heatsink. I want to say I have 8 cool white led and 4 red led. Works great. Total overkill. The Cree cool whites fall between 5-6500k or so. I threw in some red because I also have mangroves in the sump and red is often used as grow light for regular plants so figure couldn't hurt

Egkid · 07/12/2011, 10:59 AM

I'd definately put some red leds over it maybe do 6, 3 neutral whites and 3 reds.

dancewithethan · 07/12/2011, 11:23 AM

I use two of these, plug and play. My cheato grow like weed.

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Nano_...FIRFRL-vi.html

Best

SoFloReefer · 07/12/2011, 12:26 PM

Moonpod- you haven't put any reds over coral to see the effect, have you? I'm curious how reds might make some of my coral look.

dancewithethan- not to dog your light, but 70 lumens per led, and 4 leds total, seems kind of low.

sahin · 07/12/2011, 12:31 PM

Many thanks for the response. Gives me some ideas.

moonpod · 07/12/2011, 12:42 PM

Soflo I have not but also my tank is NEW. Still going through early tank life cycle issues. Diatoms. Etc. So no corals being put at risk as yet

fkeeper · 07/12/2011, 01:38 PM

I used a clip on light with a par20 led light bulb in it. seems to be doing fine, but its still early. Anyone think this isn't enough? if so what should I change it to? thanks,

ORayRay · 07/12/2011, 10:14 PM

Im using a PAR20 that is cool white got it of eBay for $20 and Im growing mangroves without a problem

fkeeper · 07/20/2011, 09:49 AM

Perfect. i have started to notice some growth in the cheato.

07/12/2011, 08:03 AM	#1
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	LED's for Cheato growth Has anyone built a simple low power sump light with LED’s in order to grow cheatomorpha? If so, please detail how many LED’s used, what current and which kind of LED’s used. I need a little boost in my phosphate uptake. Please restrict the discussion only to the use of LED’s to use as a cheato grow light. Many thanks.

07/12/2011, 08:09 AM	#2
SoFloReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 712	I would go with a mix of neutral whites and warm white LEDs. I would think that ten or less LEDs on one constant voltage driver on a small heat sink would give you more than enough light. If I had a sump, this is what I would do. __________________ 40 breeder Zoanthid and Ricordea dominated tank with LED lighting.

07/12/2011, 09:44 AM	#3
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	I went overboard. I used a rapidled 12 led kit w heatsink. I want to say I have 8 cool white led and 4 red led. Works great. Total overkill. The Cree cool whites fall between 5-6500k or so. I threw in some red because I also have mangroves in the sump and red is often used as grow light for regular plants so figure couldn't hurt __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

07/12/2011, 11:23 AM	#5
dancewithethan Ethan M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Rafael, California Posts: 673	I use two of these, plug and play. My cheato grow like weed. http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Nano_...FIRFRL-vi.html Best __________________ Good things come to those who’re patiently wait - Ethan - Current Tank Info: Tank:~ 70 Gs Cadlight + 20 Gs sump\| Lights: 36" ATI Sunpower Dimmable T5x6 39W \| Skimmer: Octo\| Vortech M1 return\| GeoReef Cal Reactor \|2 MP10 VorTech + MaxSpect GyreXF150\|Neptune APEX Controller\|Skimz Bio Pellets\| Emperor Aquatics UV 18W Sterilizer

07/12/2011, 12:26 PM	#6
SoFloReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 712	Moonpod- you haven't put any reds over coral to see the effect, have you? I'm curious how reds might make some of my coral look. dancewithethan- not to dog your light, but 70 lumens per led, and 4 leds total, seems kind of low. __________________ 40 breeder Zoanthid and Ricordea dominated tank with LED lighting.

07/12/2011, 10:59 AM	#4
Egkid Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tampa Posts: 468	I'd definately put some red leds over it maybe do 6, 3 neutral whites and 3 reds.

07/12/2011, 12:31 PM	#7
sahin Ultimate Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,540	Many thanks for the response. Gives me some ideas.

07/12/2011, 12:42 PM	#8
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	Soflo I have not but also my tank is NEW. Still going through early tank life cycle issues. Diatoms. Etc. So no corals being put at risk as yet __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

07/12/2011, 01:38 PM	#9
fkeeper Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 24	I used a clip on light with a par20 led light bulb in it. seems to be doing fine, but its still early. Anyone think this isn't enough? if so what should I change it to? thanks,

07/12/2011, 10:14 PM	#10
ORayRay Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 207	Im using a PAR20 that is cool white got it of eBay for $20 and Im growing mangroves without a problem

07/20/2011, 09:49 AM	#11
fkeeper Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 24	Perfect. i have started to notice some growth in the cheato.

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