Calling on the plant experts

[MsGita]

I am going to be getting some new plants soon and I need some advise.

My tank is 6 gallons and has 7600k LED lights. Is this considered med or strong lighting? What plants would do best under this kind of lighting?

I know nothing about LED lights (actually I know nothing about any kind of lighting) so hopefully you guys can help me out :)

Thanks!

[Micho]

To be honest LED light cannot support most plant life, only the low-light plants can thrive in your tank.

Getting florescent bulbs that are around 6500k will help you a lot, 1 ~ 2 watts per gallon, so 12watts for a 6g. That'll probably ensure that most (if not all) of the plants you are getting will thrive in your tank.

[MsGita]

Ah glad I asked! Thank you so much!

[Hallyx]

I'm aware of hydroponic growers using LED lighting in commercial vegetable growing. In fact, it's becoming more common because LEDs are reliable and use less power.

7600K is in the right range for growing plants. If you can determine that the output in Watts is more than 1W/gal, I'd try some low/medium light plants and see.

[Silverfang]

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=11000158
I use this for my 10G. I find it pretty good for my selection of plants. In fact it is too strong for my anubis (the leaves keep yellowing). But the java moss and fern are great, my two swords are healthy and keep sprouting, even the ludwiga didn't die off with it! Lots of new growth.

[Hadouken441]

Originally Posted by Micho

To be honest LED light cannot support most plant life, only the low-light plants can thrive in your tank.

This is wrong...

People use LEDS all the time it just cost more money when your doing a bigger tank unless you have lots of money.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=11000158
That light is EXCELLENT for the size of tank your doing. The problem is your going to have too much light and no co2. Algae problems galore.

Figure out a co2 system or your going to have algae

Originally Posted by Silverfang

In fact it is too strong for my anubis (the leaves keep yellowing)

Yellow leaves is lack of potassium.

[MsGita]

Thank you guys for your input. I will try a few different plants and see what happens. Rght now I have an anubias that seems to be doing well, 2 crypt. wendtii that look ok (the smaller/newer leaves look limp and yelowing) and a java fern that looks a mess (dark spots). I've never had live plants in an aquarium before and I'm starting to think I'm in over my head. lol

[Hadouken441]

The crypts might be ok. Most of them sold at LFS were grown emersed(above water) and is just transitioning. It may look dead for a while but it will jump back