Marineland® BioWheel® LED Aquarium Kit - 20 Gallon - $57.50 - Today and In-store Only

[YellowOnYellow]

Hello all HFB'ers,

I know I am posting this in the wrong forum but I figure this deal is hot and need some extra exposure (especially it being a one day deal). Been looking around for a good beginner fish tank (see my other thread I have made). Well I found it. Petsmart has Marineland 20 gallon LED kit for $57 and tax. Just go in grab it and it will scan with the correct price. Sorry about it being so late. Just saw my email and went to Petsmart to see if it was true before posting.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11164160

I guess to keep this relevant to this forum, do you think this tank with the filter and LED lighting be enough for a low light planted aquarium?

[mistahoo]

Possibly, but even the double bright marineland LEDs can barely support other low/med light plants. If you are going with that tank setup, I'd stick to java fern, java moss, anubias nana, or some other plants that require very little light.

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[mnemenoi]

Just add a clip on lamp with a CFL bulb (6500K spectrum) and you should be fine. Move the LED's up front and the clip on to the rear of the tank. The bio wheel is alright for a HOB, but I myself prefer the Aqua-Clears for the ability to customize media options. I suppose you could bag up some bio-filtration media and cut the carbon out of those bags.

[mistahoo]

I second using an alternate light source. With the LEDs and CFL on you'll have more options with plants, but you sacrifice aesthetics. The CFL will definitely wash out the LEDs because they're weak. Bio wheel filters are my #2 filter. They're great, but my go to HOB is AquaClear. With the bio wheel, ditch the carbon cartridge and add a bag of bio media and a bag of purigen.

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[YellowOnYellow]

Lots of solid advice. Thank you everyone!

I'm tempted to just ditch the LED lights and hang it up on a wall somewhere. Might find a 24" to use a 67k/10k light combo instead. No sure what to do. Still need to get a stand for this tank and then I got to cycle it. Would be a while before I figure this out.

[mistahoo]

There's the finnex led fixtures that are awesome if you want to stick to LEDs. Particularly the Ray2. It'll give you med/high light. The fugeray is okay. You'll get low light from it unless your tank is shallow which then you'll be getting low/med light. Both are meant to attach to rimless tanks, but you can hang it or just set it on the top of some glass lids.

You can get some CFL or T5 fixture for pretty cheap and they'll put out some decent light.

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[suicune]

I have this tank as my hospital tank or hospice for very sick fish.... It cannot grow plants with the stock light... Even with javafern it would grow even slower

[YellowOnYellow]

man. Now I am going to have to rethink this. Atleast I think I got a tank with a filter at a decent price.

[troy tucker]

You got a good deal on what you have. you just need to add another light.

[suicune]

it's a great deal for what it is. If you don't use life plants you should be fine. I suggest a hard scape tank with some rock and driftwood. It'll do wonder. The light is so weak that you won't have serious algae problem.

[YellowOnYellow]

You got a good deal on what you have. you just need to add another light.

it's a great deal for what it is. If you don't use life plants you should be fine. I suggest a hard scape tank with some rock and driftwood. It'll do wonder. The light is so weak that you won't have serious algae problem.

Looking into another light while I am mineralizating the top soil.

Would a single T8 do the trick? Any which lightbulb should I use? 67k or 10k? Obviously, if I find a cheap double I would use both.

[mistahoo]

A single T8 is enough for low/med with a more options to choose from as far as plants go. 6,700k is usually recommended, but from what I've noticed, 10,000k works just as well. 10,000k grows green plants very well, but not so much for other color plants. I was never too fond of a 6,700k and 10,000k mix, but if you like it, then go for it!

[mnemenoi]

I'd personally recommend a PC or T5 fixture, you should be able to find one with bulbs for under $50 either used or new. Here is a new T5HO fixture with either 6500K, plant, or 10,000K bulbs (you choose). I myself prefer eco-complete, aquasoil, or Stratum for substrates. Flourite is decent as well. Never had any luck with mineralized top soil other then a funky nasty soup mess. I'd recommend starting with something a bit less difficult and time consuming on your first planted tank. Once you get the hang of it, you can start experimenting with other stuff and tweak on more tanks. They are a bit addictive once you get one established and doing well.

[suicune]

I like 10k for the white shine look. Like Mistahoo said, having a 6.7k set up, I really don't like the light color, it looks good for awhile but the yellowish tan looks boring to me.

Maybe you should try some easy to keep, low maintenance like Fissiden (phoenix moss). They grow slow and basically maintenance free after they grow out.