Questions about Up-aqua led light set

**trashedbox** · 22nd Jul 2013, 08:40

Hi all,
I was wondering if up-aqua 'Y' series is using the same LED as their famous 'Z' series? Any pros here happen to know?

If not, is 'Z' series suitable for a low tech tank?
Currently I'm only using 1x osram T5H0 for a 45cm tall 2ft tank.

**Urban Aquaria** · 22nd Jul 2013, 10:24

From what i've seen and compared, the Y-Series lights use the same individual LEDs but just in much less quantity, so the overall brightness is dimmer. Its probably meant for shallow tanks that have a few low-requirement plants (ie. anubias, java fern, mosses etc), or just for viewing fishes/shrimps.

If you want to grow plants that require more light (ie. HC, glosso, hairgrass etc), then its better to use the Z-Series lights, which are suitable for planted tanks of around 30-36cm height. They do well in both low and high tech setups.

But if you have a taller 45cm height tank, then it would be a better idea to look at the higher powered LED lights instead for their depth penetration, the higher wattage LEDs (ie. 3W individual LEDs, preferably with lenses) will enable more light to punch deeper into the water and reach carpet plants that are lower at the substrate.

**trashedbox** · 22nd Jul 2013, 11:40

Wow thanks for your input.
Mine is a sand only corydoras tank.
Plants consist of only low requirement hardy plants like nana, java ferns and java moss.
So should I say Z series should suffice for me?

**Urban Aquaria** · 22nd Jul 2013, 14:09

For those type of plants, the Z-Series lights would be more than sufficient... though due to the slow growth rate of those particular plants, it'll be best to keep the photoperiod shorter to reduce algae growth.

**qngwn** · 22nd Jul 2013, 14:19

I'm using a 45cm z series led for my 22cm height cory tank. due to the low height, it is way to strong. thus i am using floating surface plants to help block the light.

as these LEDs are of low wattage, they do not reach great depth with high enough intensity. for a 45cm height just for corys, a set of z series will be sufficient. if it happens to be too powerful, you can always use floating plants to help block the light penetrating into the water and the tank.

**trashedbox** · 22nd Jul 2013, 15:10

Actually 1x T5H0 is already too powerful for my plants.
I use to always get algae of them when I was using just 1 tube.
Thus, I'm covering little bit of both sides of my light set with aluminum foil to create artificial "shading" from the direct lights because I always failed at floating plants... (giant duck weed/small duck weed/frogbit).

So, can I be right to say that ODYSSEA EVO Led Clip (1ft) would be perfect for my tank? (direct lights in the middle of my tank and with 3w per LED to reach deeper)

**qngwn** · 22nd Jul 2013, 16:37

Originally Posted by trashedbox

Actually 1x T5H0 is already too powerful for my plants.
I use to always get algae of them when I was using just 1 tube.
Thus, I'm covering little bit of both sides of my light set with aluminum foil to create artificial "shading" from the direct lights because I always failed at floating plants... (giant duck weed/small duck weed/frogbit).

So, can I be right to say that ODYSSEA EVO Led Clip (1ft) would be perfect for my tank? (direct lights in the middle of my tank and with 3w per LED to reach deeper)

The higher than wattage, the greater the intensity, and thus the deeper the lights can reach. 3W LEDs can comfortable reach up to 45cm, and they may bit a little strong if you are considering low tech. however, it also depends on what plants you are planning to grow as the light still needs to be sufficient to be able to grow plants.

I believe its getting the balance right when it comes to low tech as parameters as not as easily controllable as compared to when having a co2 tank, strong lights, or fertilizers.

Perhaps minimum a EVO 45cm would be okay, as a 1ft would not be able to cover the entire substrate, taking into consideration the light optics and diffusion angle. (from personal experience)
Also, as LED is relatively much directional as compared to T5s, you can see a large difference when an area is being lit up by LED, vs those that are not. T5s very much spread out in all directions the tube is exposed to.