High Lighting Options

[Livy_ann]

Any recommendations for affordable high lighting to keep Red plants alive? I ordered super red Ludwigia and it turned to basically mush in less than 3 weeks
(
Not using Co2 but will be using Easy Green, Root tabs, and will be purchasing Flourish Iron.

This is the current light I use, but I don't think it's bright enough, thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07T9Y7LQ4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

These are the 2 I am looking into, would either of these be suitable? Is one better than the other.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CDRBW1G9/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A23RNDP6QI3XCP&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07V7DCCJB/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A33ZKFW4KOEZQ4&psc=1

Other recommendations welcome, but don't want to spend a fortune. Under $40 preferably

 

[Livy_ann]

To clarify, my tank is 24x12x16"
I was recommendes SEAOURA as a good brand as well. Appreciate any feedback

 

[TNG]

Any recommendations for affordable high lighting to keep Red plants alive? I ordered super red Ludwigia and it turned to basically mush in less than 3 weeks
(
Not using Co2 but will be using Easy Green, Root tabs, and will be purchasing Flourish Iron.

This is the current light I use, but I don't think it's bright enough, thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07T9Y7LQ4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

These are the 2 I am looking into, would either of these be suitable? Is one better than the other.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CDRBW1G9/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A23RNDP6QI3XCP&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07V7DCCJB/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A33ZKFW4KOEZQ4&psc=1

Other recommendations welcome, but don't want to spend a fortune. Under $40 preferably

If the info provided by the manufacturers is correct, your current light has the right colour temperature of 6500K and the brightness is 1050Lm if it’s a 18” - 24” long light, or 1500Lm if it’s 24”- 30” long.

The Nicrew has the same 6500K and the brightness is pretty much the same as your current light.

Colour temperature refers to the colour of the light. Candle light is approx. 1500K, daylight 6500K, blue light 9000K.
Light brightness is just that, how bright it is.
For good plant growth you need daylight colour temperature (around 6500K) plus the right brightness.

I don’t know how much brightness your plants need, but if you need more brightness you’ll need 2 lights sitting side by side. Swapping one for the other wouldn't do much.

 

[Magnum Man]

I'm not sure if I missed the tank's size and shape... but I use full length lights, most lights are expandable with a sliding bracket, but I always order the actual light, the same width as the tank... and I have several tanks that are 24 inches deep ( extra deep ) and I use 2 full length lights, side by side, on those extra deep tanks... most of the new lights are adjustable, as far as color, and the longer they are, the more LED diodes, so the brighter they are...
these are what I've been buying lately...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BXCS78S6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[Livy_ann]

I'm not sure if I missed the tank's size and shape... but I use full length lights, most lights are expandable with a sliding bracket, but I always order the actual light, the same width as the tank... and I have several tanks that are 24 inches deep ( extra deep ) and I use 2 full length lights, side by side, on those extra deep tanks... most of the new lights are adjustable, as far as color, and the longer they are, the more LED diodes, so the brighter they are...
these are what I've been buying lately...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BXCS78S6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

It's 24x12x16" tank. Do you think I should go with 24-30" or the smaller size.

 

[Magnum Man]

if you are concerned about the maximum amount of light, I would go full width

 

[Livy_ann]

I think I am just going to use 2 lights! Thx for your help

 

[anewbie]

What you want is the par value for the various models with co2 depending on specific plants you want between 50 par and 100 par at the bottom. I believe you said your aquarium was 16 inches tall which means the actual height of the water is around 13 inches after you take into account substrate and a bit of room at the top as well as thickness of the glass at the bottom.

Lookup the par value and that will give you your answer.