Cheap Lighting?

[IniquitousIV]

I checked the box for the LED modular light (Aqueon) that came with the Marineland tank. No reference to lumens there or on the fixture itself. Also no reference to lumens on the boxes for Aqueon Daylight or ColorMax bulbs, or on the bulbs themselves.
I finally contacted Aqueon Tech Help, who informed me that even if I used two of their narrow fixtures, with a total of 6 lights, it would be totally inadequate to sustain live plants requiring bright light.
Back to the drawing board. I'll probably go with T5HO bulbs. I need to get to around 25K lumens according to the chart CichlidAddict referenced.

 

[IniquitousIV]

I checked the box for the LED modular light (Aqueon) that came with the Marineland tank. No reference to lumens there or on the fixture itself. Also no reference to lumens on the boxes for Aqueon Daylight or ColorMax bulbs, or on the bulbs themselves.
I finally contacted Aqueon Tech Help, who informed me that even if I used two of their narrow fixtures, with a total of 6 lights, it would be totally inadequate to sustain live plants.
I have to think again. Has anyone any idea how many lumens would suffice for plants that require "bright" lighting?

 

[IniquitousIV]

Oops! I already edited the previous post, because the info was in a link provided by Cichlid Addict. Guess I didn't edit it in time!
Thanks for the suggestions posted. I learn a lot from you guys.

 

[CichlidAddict]

You must have older product. I just check out lights from Lowes,and all light product come with wattage, lumen and even k value rating. You can estimate the lumens of your light by checking out similar light product with known rating and using lumens per watt ratio calculation. I no longer buy light without knowing the lumen after making a mistake of buying an unrated led from eBay that turns out to be very dim.

 

[IniquitousIV]

You must have older product. I just check out lights from Lowes,and all light product come with wattage, lumen and even k value rating. You can estimate the lumens of your light by checking out similar light product with known rating and using lumens per watt ratio calculation. I no longer buy light without knowing the lumen after making a mistake of buying an unrated led from eBay that turns out to be very dim.

Just bought them a few weeks ago at House of Tropicals. Now I have a light unit and bulbs of little use to me. Decided to go in another direction and ordered a Current USA Satellite with PRO LEDS. I know it contradicts the title of this particular forum, as it is not cheap, but every review I read said it is very reliable and accommodates plants requiring very bright light. Probably means I'll need CO2 to prevent algae. Funny how how you think as you get older that you will make fewer mistakes!!