Lighting For Fluval Edge

[curlyriff]

Morning All,

I am looking at getting some direct replacement LED lights for my Fluval Edge Tank and have found a few lights that seem to suit my needs but not 100% sure.

I have been on the numerous Fluval Edge tank topics but everyone is contradicting others and themselves with what to go with/use and it has left me no further forward at moment.

I have found two bulbs that are slightly different in specification and not sure which would be the right one if either.

The spec is as follows per bulb:

* 3.5 Watts.
* 60 x 3528 SMD superbright LEDs.
* Colour: day white (colour temperature 6000K-6500K).
* Standard 2 pin fitting.
* Lens diameter 5cm; length 4.5cm (standard MR16 bulb size).
* Approx. life 50,000 hours.
* Light output: 310 lumen.
* Comparable to 50W halogen.
* Use on 12V AC/DC supply.
* Beam angle: 120°. Protection level: IP54.
* C.E. approved and RoHS compliant.

or

* 2.4 Watts.
* 12 x 5050 SMD LED.
* Colour: day white (colour temperature 6000K).
* Standard 2 pin fitting.
* Lens diameter 3.5cm; length 3.2cm (standard MR11 bulb size).
* Approx. life 50,000 hours.
* Light output: 140 lumen.
* Comparable to 30W halogen.
* Use on 12V AC/DC supply.
* Beam angle: 120°. Protection level: IP54.
* C.E. approved and RoHS compliant.

I would have two in the tank and they would attach to my light arm directly replacing the current 10wtt halogen bulbs that are standard.

I am only after low light to grow the likes of Christmas/Fissidens Moss some anubias nana petite and/or some wndelov java fern.

I have been told the plants above would be OK in low light with no/little dosing and no CO2 by using the bioload the fish create.

The light arm means the bulbs are only 2/3cm above the water line. The tank is around 7.5" deep to the substrata and with the 120 degree angle I should just about be able to get light to the corners of the tank due to the cover and where they are located.

If anyone has any input or ideas that would be great as I don't really want to have to pay for 4 bulbs to see as each bulb is around £15.

Kind Regards,

Adam

 

[ben3486]

where are you getting these from? im thinking of doing the same

 

[curlyriff]

where are you getting these from? im thinking of doing the same

They are from ebay. I ordered the MR11's in the end to see what they are like. 2x bulbs where about £13 and should be here end this week/begining of next.

If you are willing to wait for me to see what they are like I will get some pictures up. I am only going for low light though. If you want medium/high light then the MR16's maybe with another light would be required.

Once I have the lights set up I am also thinking about trying 1 warm white with 1 day white to see if I can get better colours in the tank.

This will mean trying either 1 MR11 day/bright white with 1 MR11 warm white which has a lower lumens around 90/100 and a 3000/3500k rating or going for the more expensive MR16's mixed similar but the warm white would be around 150 lumens and the day/bright white would be around the 310/475 lumens depending on bulb.

MR16's also require new connections but these are on ebay also and about £1.50/£2.00 each the MR16 bulbs are around £15-£30 each depending on how many lumens you require.

I can get you direct links to ebay for you if you want them now for what I was looking at or happy to post up my findings once I know what it is like.

At the moment I have 1x Anubis Nana 1x lot of moss (unknown species) and 1 other plant from a friends tank and although they are not really growing they look happy and healthy at moment which is why I want to try the MR11's first.

Kind Regards,

Adam

 

[ben3486]

pics and links would be amazing. i think i want some thing aroung the 6000k mark so i can et a more blue look to the tank. got any links to some 6000k ish lights? look fwd to seeing your pics mate.

cheers, ben

 

[curlyriff]

pics and links would be amazing. i think i want some thing aroung the 6000k mark so i can et a more blue look to the tank. got any links to some 6000k ish lights? look fwd to seeing your pics mate.

cheers, ben

Right my lights arrived today.

I have taken a photo of before and after for you to have a look at. Check out Tank Fishless Cycling which is my other topic in the fresh water section it has it all there.

Sorry about the bad picture quality. Really poor camera. I have tried it with just 1 halogen in to see what warm light would be and although the bogwood looks better there still isn't enough light and I think I would be wasting money trying to get 1 warm MR11 at the moment.

The flood of light is so much better for the price of the bulbs.

these are the bulbs I brought MR11 lights

Hope that helps a little. I may in the following few weeks try the MR11 warm mixed with the day white but I want to see how my plants do first.

Kind Regards,

Adam