Light bar recommendations for dedicated Macro tank?

[ZzyzxRiver]

I’m looking at a 20 gallon long tank (30.25” long) to turn into a dedicated decorative macroalgae system. I have Aquaillumination Blades on my main system, but I’d rather not spend that much money on this one that’s just to experiment with. Any recommendations?

 

[vlangel]

I’m looking at a 20 gallon long tank (30.25” long) to turn into a dedicated decorative macroalgae system. I have Aquaillumination Blades on my main system, but I’d rather not spend that much money on this one that’s just to experiment with. Any recommendations?

Any reasonably priced grow light would probably work.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I would second the inexpensive grow light recommendation.

 

[oreo54]

I’m looking at a 20 gallon long tank (30.25” long) to turn into a dedicated decorative macroalgae system. I have Aquaillumination Blades on my main system, but I’d rather not spend that much money on this one that’s just to experiment with. Any recommendations?

What " color" do you want?
Many freshwater lights have higher k temps ( like 10000k ) as a starting point.
I'd personally would go more fw than reef dedicated lighting especially if blue centric

https://www.tfhdigital.com/tfh/may_...cle.action?articleId=2055435#articleId2055435

I'm sure there is a range of intensities/ species and a bit better spectrums ( red vs green algae ) and I don't know them specifically.

Finding actual 30" bars is another story.
Here is a not final price option that when you add everything is probably out of your hope to spend range
50-ish watts


Or 30" blade freshwater. 60 watts.
https://www.aquaillumination.com/products/blade-freshwater

 

[oreo54]

On the inexpensive side there are the low watt planted tank lights
2 @ 22w each and like $80 total dollars..
Limited control.
Not waterproof but the do have a 30" model.
https://www.amazon.com/SEAOURA-Plants-Full-Adjustable-Brightness-Extendable/dp/B0B4VDYKLD/ref=mp_s_a_1_21?crid=10NKUFZO7AP4L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.caypFRIanQRU0Xu7Oz8lg_NnW9SblREubFsYYo_apg8dXEFkAo6ztk_omFA7sILemo3VBp_e5F1ODnneABYkFZMcaVq9a3jJ-xZz9GiGW0VqizpmlJDjjpYAXF-uL8cbUjdyBQ325tI8ts86efSyFPRI3gbtJZh5kN_RSx9dVnbst_MF9mDNRDjVl9eo_Msob4IvdOsejPy2GtGP0ly7KA.iezEM3AnbKhnILAZTFvH1P6PHoF4RFDQD0EsArCqjtw&dib_tag=se&keywords=aquarium+led&qid=1786719534&sprefix=aquarium+le,aps,263&sr=8-21&th=1&psc=1

.There are pick styles as well

Best to be a bit more specific on needs wants..

 

[commod0re]

Barrina plant grow light strips would work really well and are very affordable. I especially like the LED T5s for how compact they are and if you want more punch the T8s are also great. A kit of barrinas comes with several lights and you can daisy-chain together as many as you need for your purposes

 

[oreo54]

Barrina plant grow light strips would work really well and are very affordable. I especially like the LED T5s for how compact they are and if you want more punch the T8s are also great. A kit of barrinas comes with several lights and you can daisy-chain together as many as you need for your purposes

These might work well. more tubes than necessary but the right length and on a color look of the old growlux tubes. Only 3ft pink pack at wally world.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Barrina-...-T5-Strip-Plug-Play-Yellow-4-Pack/19567854060

3FT 128W (8 x 16W, 800W Equivalent) Plant Light Grow Lights for Seed Starting Plug and Play Pinkish White​

No automation but would only need a smart plug or timer. One could stagger the turn on time but lose daisy chaining.

Arguably most others would be too yellow for most. Even 5000K.
Things like 95cri @ 4000k are not judged by daylight but by a candle flame. Point is it is sort of pointless for their use.

 

[minus9]

Quanta Helix Tropic Sun (24" version) should work.

 

[commod0re]

These might work well. more tubes than necessary but the right length and on a color look of the old growlux tubes. Only 3ft pink pack at wally world.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Barrina-...-T5-Strip-Plug-Play-Yellow-4-Pack/19567854060



No automation but would only need a smart plug or timer. One could stagger the turn on time but lose daisy chaining.

Yes I have a bunch around the house that my wife uses for house plants and I automate them with zigbee smart outlets and home-assistant. It’s true that you don’t get fancy features like dimming/ramping but you get a lot of lights for a decent price so seems fair enough to me lol