Setting Up 2ft planted Tank

[Patrick76]

I am planning to set up a 2ft planted tank at home. I will most likey get the tank from East Ocean and see what is suitable for the small corner of my house.

Equipment and accessories that I plan to get are as below:

1) Chiller - I understand that for small tank I cannot use chiller with big capacity as the current generated might be too strong for the tank. I prefer to use a compressor type chiller as I intend to bring down the temperature to below 25 deg C. Any recommendation?

2) Lights - I prefer to use LED lights but I seems to note from forum that the performance is not well documented. T5HO type seems to be the choice for most forumer here. As I intend to use a chiller, I guess the heat generated by the lights should have minimum effect on the tank. Please correct me if I am wrong. Finally, cost is an important consideration also. Which brand of lights have been used on 2 ft planted tank with proven outcome?

3) Filter - I read that most will recommend to get a canister filter since I plan to use a chiller. My preference is to use HOB filter as it is less messy when washing the filter. I am just thinking if it is possible for me to use internal filter to run chiller.

[Mystikboy]

Just some preliminary points

1. More economic to use a fan for small tanks as the low volume of water of small tanks equilibrates with the surrounding temperature quickly. Greater cost Savings Too. Only draw backs are the need to constantly refill and the degree of chill - fan can only bring the temperature down 2-3 degrees below ambient temperature

2. I find LED lights adequate. Very small heat signature and low power consumption as well. Perhaps u can look at the UP brand if you are disinclined towards LED. They seem to be up and coming

3. Canister filters are a little overkill if your tank is smaller than 2 feet. But some people like to oversize their filtration. Difficult, if not impossible, to run chiller on internal filter, to my knowledge at least.

[Urban Aquaria]

I agree, a fan is more economical for smaller tanks (and doesn't make the room warm).

I actually had a brief experience with using a chiller (was loaned from a friend to try out recently, but returned it back to him after a few weeks) for my small shrimp-only tank.

What i found was that you need it to be in an area with good ventilation, as the hot exchanged air has to go somewhere (imagine if your home air-con compressor is inside your room rather than outside on the air-con ledge!)... in my case, it was in my study room which is usually closed for most of the day, so when i get home, the tank is cool but the room become like a sauna (especially on warmer days).

Then i have to switch on air-con to cool myself in the room, become like need air-con to chill the chiller.

As for LED lights, they have been in the market for years but it is still a relatively new technology in the aquarium hobby (florescent lights have been around for much longer so more aquarists are familiar with it).

Previously, LED lights were just cobbled together using off-the-shelf LEDs, and everyone still have the old thinking that more wattage = better, but although it looks bright to the user's eyes, the spectrum used (not the same as color temp) were actually not suitable, so alot of light is actually wasted.

But in the last few years, LED lights have become cheaper and manufacturers have gradually tuned their specific light spectrum to more precisely to aquarium usage and especially for planted tanks.

I have used T8, T5 and PL lights in my journey through the hobby (i still have all of those lights piled up in my storeroom) and while they are good, i can say that the latest "plant growth specific" LED lights are now able to effectively replace them.

Just to give you a comparison, in my 1.5ft tank, i have grown HC, Glosso, Riccia and Fissidens (the more popular types of aquascaping plants) under 16W x 2 T5HO lights which is 32W. When i switched to the Up Aqua Z-Series Pro LED lights, the growth is as good and often better, and it only consumes 16W.

While T5 light sets are abit cheaper, they come in large bulky casings (look like spaceship on top of tanks) and the bulbs will fade in power after the months and have to be changed yearly, and when switched on for extended periods, the whole casing become so hot that i cannot even hold it.

On the other hand, while LED lights like the Z-Series Pro cost abit more, but they come in a slim sleek casing (much nicer and less obtrusive), the LEDs will not fade over time and stay 100% efficient (i've used mine for 6+ months now and they are still as bright as new), and even when switched on for longer periods, the casing only gets slightly warm on top (the area facing the tank is cool) and i can easily hold it to move anytime.

So i would definitely recommend using LED lights... but do make sure you only get those which are designed and made specifically for planted tanks (don't get the cheapo low-quality LED lights which are only suitable for viewing fishes).

As for the filter, go for canister filters, hang-on filters are okay but they have smaller filter area so you have to clean it more often... compared to canister filters with much larger filter area and media volume, so the tank can be kept filtered for much longer periods and can support increased bio-load.

I have used hang-on filters before and had to diligently clean them every 1-2 weeks, if not they clog up and dirty water start spilling back into the tank (or on the floor)... with my canister filters, i only clean them once every 2-3 months (sometimes longer if i'm lazy). Just remember to get canister filters with convenient media baskets and double taps, it makes cleaning very simple and straightforward.

Hope that helps.

[Patrick76]

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

I think I will settle on LED lights. Does the depth of the tank plays a part? If i have a deep tank like 60 cm, should I get one with higher wattage or higher light spectrum? What would you recommend other than UP series?

[Patrick76]

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

I think I will settle on LED lights. Does the depth of the tank plays a part? If i have a deep tank like 60 cm, should I get one with higher wattage or higher light spectrum? What would you recommend other than UP series?

[Urban Aquaria]

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

I think I will settle on LED lights. Does the depth of the tank plays a part? If i have a deep tank like 60 cm, should I get one with higher wattage or higher light spectrum? What would you recommend other than UP series?

Yes, tank depth does play a part too.

So far, i've used the Z-Series LED lights successfully on 30cm depth tanks... for deeper tanks (> 45cm depth), i would probably recommend those plant-calibrated LED lights that use an arrangement of individual 1 watt or 3 watt LEDs with optics instead (they usually cost more too).

They use less individual LEDs but each are higher powered. The light coverage is abit more scattered, but each LED can get light further into the lower substrate.

You can check out the Evo LED Green Element lights at East Ocean, they have some on demo at their deeper planted shop tanks.

[cherabin]

What's the usual life span of these LED lightsets? Under a daily operation of 8 to 10 hours. Are we looking at at 2 years at least?

[Urban Aquaria]

What's the usual life span of these LED lightsets? Under a daily operation of 8 to 10 hours. Are we looking at at 2 years at least?

Usually manufacturers indicate that their LEDs can last from 25,000 hours up to 50,000 hours and more.

Even if taking the lowest 25,000 hours claims, with lights on for 12 hours a day, that works out to around 2,083 days... or approx. 5-6 years.

I've actually had LED light tubes installed in all my office server ceiling lights since 2+ years ago, and those are on 24 hours a day, until now still nice and bright (big savings in power bill too).

[Shadow]

If it is not urgent, you might want to want to wait for aquarama end of may. I'm sure there will be many different brand of LED light on display

[cherabin]

Robert, good note on the Aquarama. I'm very tempted to get the UP Z series, let's see if I can resist the itch.

[Shadow]

Don't forget to bring antidote during Aquarama, the poison is strong

[felix_fx2]

If it is not urgent, you might want to want to wait for aquarama end of may. I'm sure there will be many different brand of LED light on display

last year it already have alot.

[Shadow]

last year LED demo I don't really like because, I see most of the tank with LED lack of color, pale. I think color spectrum not there yet. I'm hopping this year to be better.

[qngwn]

Last time was 2 years ago, and more LEDs catered to planted tanks are on the shelves nowadays.

I personally have grown my tanks in LED lights and I can say that it actually helps a lot with the electric bills.

LEDs consumes lesser power and emits lesser heat energy. This helps a lot especially since my area that I live in is very hot and I need a chiller to keep it to 29deg. As compared to a T5 light set, my LEDs make my chiller kick in up to 4 times less often. So I'm for LEDs in this case.

LEDs may be a little more expensive in the beginning, but many say that they pay off in the long run. I have not used LEDs for long enough to give my comments on that, but so far, the plants are growing much better, greener leaves and faster growth with only half the amount of power consumption.

Will be looking out for more LEDs at the upcoming Aquarama. Hope there will be more manufacturers and brands so that prices will be more affordable for students like me.


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[BFG]

On specification, the Kessil 150 model looks quite good. A 32w led lightset that gives out light comparable to a 150w mh light. Might want to try one but have to see the price. I already have the Mazarra P, Razor 160w 10k and Razor 120w 8k ( not activated yet ). I keep putting off my riparium project for some time now but this year, it will start as the planter set are on the way. The Razor Nano will be here too if anyone is interested.

Led are the mainstream lights now.

[aquarius]

Usually manufacturers indicate that their LEDs can last from 25,000 hours up to 50,000 hours and more.

Even if taking the lowest 25,000 hours claims, with lights on for 12 hours a day, that works out to around 2,083 days... or approx. 5-6 years.

I've actually had LED light tubes installed in all my office server ceiling lights since 2+ years ago, and those are on 24 hours a day, until now still nice and bright (big savings in power bill too).

When manufacturers indicate that their LED lights can last from 25,000 up to 50,000hrs, are they refering to the lights being able to last up to Eg 50,000hrs before it blows out or before the lumen/brightness or intensity drops and renders the lights no longer good for plant growth? Plse pardon me for my ignorance cause i'm very new to LEDs.

[Shadow]

it mean the lumen guaranty maintain at 70% for up to 50,000 hours

[AQMS]

yes, what shadow comment is right.
led used for planted tank are commonly considered to be at the end of life when their light output falls below 70% of initial output.
A good led can retain 70% of their initial output for 50,000 hours or more, depending on operating conditions and other factors.
But usually it wont last for 50,000 hrs. I had mine running for 8 months now. so far so good.

[BFG]

Don't count on the 50000hr or even 25000hr factory claim. My 1st led, the Maxspect G2, did not reach 3 years of service. Some of the led burnt out. Led do produce heat, do not believe if anyone tells you otherwise. From what I remember while researching about led when they 1st came out for aquarium use, the manufacturer made such claim IF the led were cooled at 25 degree celsius, which in real world, is hard to achieve.

However, with the controller ability with the latest generation of led lightset, I could control the output of led, which MAY help to lengthen the led lifespan but this is not a confirm guarantee. Time will tell how led would stand. My main reason in still using led is the lower wattage compared to T5 HO. In our country, the electricity tariff will continue to rise in the future, I need to lessen the amount of electrical consumption for my hobby.

[Urban Aquaria]

Interestingly, one of my main reasons for switching to LED lights was also because they can be housed in slim minimalist-style casings, i've always disliked the huge bulky casings that T8 or T5 lights come in.

It kinda defeats the purpose of having a nice open top tank when a huge T5 light casing is plopped on top, almost turning it into a closed top... really ruins the whole look, especially for smaller tanks.