Suggestions for LED light

[houiej]

I'm looking to switch from fluorescent lights to LED lights for my tank. I read somewhere that the watt per gallon rule doesn't apply for LED lights so I would appreciate advice on how to choose an LED light suitable for my tank. I'm not very knowledgeable on technical terms like lumen, PAR and whatnot. Would appreciate if you could explain in layman terms.

By the way, my tank is low tech, dimensions are 2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 feet (30 x 18 x 18 inches) and I do regular dosing of Flourish and Flourish Excel.

Thanks!

[Navanod]

Before all that, you have to decide what kind of LED light to use.

You want to use T8 LED tubes replacements, aquarium branded LED with custom casings, DIY LEDs or LED floodlight pendents?

[seudzar]

How to know if the light is suitable for photosynthesis?

[Navanod]

How to know if the light is suitable for photosynthesis?

Intensity is difficult to gauge, but a good start would be to look for lights that are between 6000K-8000K. Actually, plant lights for purely photosynthesis would be reddish purple with rather low K numbers. For planted tank, white light is still preferred and the closest white light would be 6000K-8000K.

As for intensity...that'll depend on tank depth, how far the lights are placed and what plants are being kept. Very subjective and quite trial and error for me.

[seudzar]

Intensity is difficult to gauge, but a good start would be to look for lights that are between 6000K-8000K. Actually, plant lights for purely photosynthesis would be reddish purple with rather low K numbers. For planted tank, white light is still preferred and the closest white light would be 6000K-8000K.

As for intensity...that'll depend on tank depth, how far the lights are placed and what plants are being kept. Very subjective and quite trial and error for me.

Hmmm... Like that very headache... Lol

[BFG]

You need a par meter to measure intensity of the led.