Lighting Recommendations for Macro/Planted Tanks

#1
Like the title says, I'm setting up a couple of "marine planted" tanks dominated by various macroalgae and would love some recommendations on modestly-priced LED options. The tanks are a 40 breeder and 2 20 highs, so they're fairly shallow and I don't need anything really intense. Basically the same kind of lighting you would use for a refugium. I've been away from the marine side of the hobby for a while now and with all the LED options out there now it's a bit crazy.
 

SynDen

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#3
5500k-6500k Is the color temperature range you want to be in to grow macros. Although, I have found that LED lights that are blue and white do not have the color spectrum to grow macros, by themselves. They only work if you supplement with some halogens or even t5s. You can use some simple clip-on shop lights from Home Depot with a strong halogen and/or LED bulb. 1-2 of these usually work pretty good in a small fuge macro tank and is super cheap

Here's the macro light that I use on my fuge http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Macr...p_Lighting-JBJ_Lighting-JB9311-FIRFRL-vi.html
 

JZinCO

Goby
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#4
Fluval sea marine lights have worked well for me. Not sure if the color spectrum of their freshwater planted lights are ideal but I'm sure they'd work too.
 

sethsolomon

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#5
By far the best planted tank led for the money is the Finnex planted+ 24/7. I have been using a on my deco refugiums for the last 3 years and they have equivalent growth to 6500k t5's. Most other fixtures have too much of unwanted spectrum or more geared towards a 10k spectrum.

Link to one for your 40g breeder : http://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/fin...lanted-247-automated-led-with-controller.html

Link to one for your 20g highs: http://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/fin...lanted-247-automated-led-with-controller.html
 
#6
Thanks for all the recommendations! I think the Finnex lights are the best option I've seen so far, definitely more light in the usable spectrum for plants than some others.
 
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