Reef lights for freshwater?

[Pittsford_Pets]

A friend recently gave me 2 48" fixtures from his old reef. One has 2 T5 spots (he used them for visible light) and the other has like 20 blue LEDs a white T5, and a 48" magenta T5. I can't afford a big reef, and I already have everything I need for a freshwater 55, except for fish/plants/rocks and wood. I'm wondering if they'll be good for growing plants? Thanks

 

[Salty1962]

A friend recently gave me 2 48" fixtures from his old reef. One has 2 T5 spots (he used them for visible light) and the other has like 20 blue LEDs a white T5, and a 48" magenta T5. I can't afford a big reef, and I already have everything I need for a freshwater 55, except for fish/plants/rocks and wood. I'm wondering if they'll be good for growing plants? Thanks

Yes, just be sure to get bulbs for freshwater tanks.

 

[A. grandis]

A friend recently gave me 2 48" fixtures from his old reef. One has 2 T5 spots (he used them for visible light) and the other has like 20 blue LEDs a white T5, and a 48" magenta T5. I can't afford a big reef, and I already have everything I need for a freshwater 55, except for fish/plants/rocks and wood. I'm wondering if they'll be good for growing plants? Thanks

Don't use the blue LEDs...
Get 3 of these:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/tropic-t5-giesemann.html
and 1 of these:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/super-flora-t5-giesemann.html
Place the flora in one of the middle slots (middle of the tank).
Depending on the type of plants you want you'll need CO2 to make your life easier. Please do your search on that.
You can have 4 bulbs for your plants but you need to get new bulbs. they loose their optimum spectrum from the 6th month on.
You can change the bulbs once a year.
Good luck!
Grandis.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Thanks

 

[Larry L]

Or, instead of spending money on new T5 bulbs with the right spectrum, just buy something like a 48" "Finnex Planted+ 24/7". Probably about the same price compared to replacing the T5s once or twice.

 

[A. grandis]

I actually tried Finnex fixtures. They are supposed to be one of the best inexpensive options for planted tanks.
They don't even come close to half of what my T5s offer!!!
I used for a year + and did everything I could to have my tank like it was with the T5s.
Unless you plan to keep low light cheap type of plants, anything would "work."
Non of my friends have LEDs for plants. T5s all the way!!
Grandis.

 

[Larry L]

I actually tried Finnex fixtures. They are supposed to be one of the best inexpensive options for planted tanks.
They don't even come close to half of what my T5s offer!!!
I used for a year + and did everything I could to have my tank like it was with the T5s.

It totally depends on what you are trying to grow, just like you may or may not need to run CO2 depending on what you are trying to grow. I have seen a number of very nice planted tanks using the Finnex lights (including my own, IMO). Saying that you need T5s to have a planted tank is like saying you need metal halides and a calcium reactor to grow corals.

 

[A. grandis]

It totally depends on what you are trying to grow, just like you may or may not need to run CO2 depending on what you are trying to grow. I have seen a number of very nice planted tanks using the Finnex lights (including my own, IMO). Saying that you need T5s to have a planted tank is like saying you need metal halides and a calcium reactor to grow corals.

Yes, you are totally right. And also depends how you want them to grow.

Grandis.

 

[McMullen]

I've got an ocean revive with blue channels burned out. Been using on my planted tank well over a year. Working great for plants. It's a 30gal tall. It's probably 15-16 in above tank too.