Recommendation for Lights to have good carpet

[ahpui6]

Good Day Bros

Current considering to have a planted 2 ft tank. Tank is roughly 40cm in depth. The tank has rim.

Wish to have a nice carpet for the whole of the tank. Looking at HC/Monte Carlo.

Any good recommendations for lighting that is suitable for tanks with rim?
Prefer light to be strong and value for money. (Overkill is all right)
Budget is around SGD150. No preference between LED or T5.



Kind bros perhaps can state their recommendation, price and LFS which sells them!

Thanks in advance! Your advice is highly appreciated!

[Urban Aquaria]

It'll depend on whether you have Co2 injection and how fast you want the carpet to grow, and how well you can balance the parameters to avoid algae issues...

If no Co2 injection, or if you have Co2 injection but prefer to pace the plant growth and reduce the chances of algae issues, then can look at the Up Aqua Z-Series Pro LED Z-20 (60cm) lights, it costs around $76+ : http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...-Concept-Store

Can also buy 2 sets to double the amount of light and increase light spread, or schedule staggered light timings with plug timers, it'll still be within your budget.

If you have Co2 injection along with ample fertilizer dosing and you want faster plant growth, then can also look at the Odyssea Evo LED 24 (60cm) lights, it costs around $160 : http://www.eastoceansg.com/odyssea-e...ant-p-820.html

[ahpui6]

thanks UA. I do have Co2 and fertiliser dose. will certainly consider that odyssea EVO led light. was wondering if there are any other good led brands that I can take a look at with my budget?

[Phillipians]

Green Element/Odyssea EVO lights are pretty much the best you can get at your budget unless you are willing to push your budget up a little.
I personally prefer that to the UP series as I have a clip on one which is a little too 'blue'. Depends on what effect you are looking at achieving

[ahpui6]

push my budget up a little higher? hmm lets say if I push it to 220? will there be significant incremental benefits?

[Phillipians]

At 260 bucks you can actually try Fishy Business Nana Lights or The mid tier Zet lights from Aquatic Avenue. Both also not bad. I would say if you can invest heavily in these few things at the beginning

Tank (Low Iron type)
Lights (LED or T5)
Substrate
CO2 Solenoid

These all get good ones and save yourself the trouble of upgrading in the new future

[Urban Aquaria]

push my budget up a little higher? hmm lets say if I push it to 220? will there be significant incremental benefits?

It really depends on your tank setup, you'll have to see if the more expensive lights offer more light intensity or more features that you actually need. If its higher light intensity that you're paying more for, then you also have to remember to keep it constantly in balance with sufficient Co2 or nutrients and fertilizer dosing, or else all the excess higher intensity light ends up growing algae carpet instead.

[ahpui6]

Thanks phillipian and UA. Hope to have more success with carpets. Substrate (ADA) and Co2 are intact. so not a problem. Tank wise should not be a problem too. Wont get shabby one either. Its the light that is problematic. I have bad experience with carpet for my nano tank so I would like to make sure that the upcoming lighting that I choose will be worry free! Certainly will take the recommendations into my planning !