What's new
TerraForums Venus Flytrap, Nepenthes, Drosera and more talk

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Testing out the Beamworks LED Pent 36" HI Lumen Timer Ready 6500K on Cephalotus

Carnivoregon

IG carnivoregon_official
Hey guys I just picked up this 36 inch LED for 60 bucks here. http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Aquarium-Lighting-Beamswork-Pent-HI-Lumen-p/56366p.htm. Hopefully my cephs will like it. I'll be running it for 12 on 12 off and it's about 7 inches from the plants it has 5700 lumens and 6500k LEDs. I will update this thread with pics each week. It would be great if it works well, it seems to put out very little heat, I actually feel like a sucker for buying the little cooling fans. It certainly is reasonably priced, so we will see if it was a worthwhile purchase soon enough. The plants are 2 typical cephs and 1 Big Boy that I got from RSS, which I still really appreciate.
10406775_1524298507850860_7233095527766594382_n.jpg


10435412_1524298571184187_8749580725649373288_n.jpg


10690106_1524298521184192_2426509570464950643_n.jpg


10368195_1524298547850856_4424853104744236931_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
An interesting sounding unit and affordable. I'll be looking forward to hearing your results, Randoja. Thanks for posting.
 
Would you give a shot of the brackets and how you mounted it?
 
An interesting sounding unit and affordable. I'll be looking forward to hearing your results, Randoja. Thanks for posting.
Yeah buddy!
Would you give a shot of the brackets and how you mounted it?
I used zip ties to get it on there good. The brackets extend between 36-40 inches on my model so I pulled them to width that I could get them tightest to the shelf, then closed them back up onto it.
10502070_1524831257797585_2204005654526757016_n.jpg

10639707_1524831277797583_6522816717827469418_n.jpg
 
I got a dome for my Emu Point leaf pulls and put them under the light as well. Additionally I added some reflective material to the back side of the top shelf. I would do the sides as well but the trays don't fit within the width of the rack. I might do the sides later once those leaf pulls are hardened, or find a smaller tray and dome for them. 12x12 would be great.

1509857_1524902351123809_2710755005281854027_n.jpg

10375033_1524902364457141_404786306831550200_n.jpg
 
1 Week Update: The light seems to be doing pretty good. It may not be very evident yet in pics, but I've seen a few pitchers get bigger this week. Also I got 5 new cephs in on Saturday, they are still pretty new and just getting used to the light. One of my original cephs isn't doing great, the plant arrived in this condition though, so I don't think the light is inadequate.

10846449_1528363390777705_1578290669536407321_n.jpg

10857867_1528363420777702_4678093566180248243_n.jpg

10513438_1528363444111033_6289750651501716929_n.jpg

10868136_1528363457444365_5001412590155684294_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Some 2 week update pics. They're doing pretty good, I'm probably going to get another one of these lights and double up on that shelf. 2 of the models I have would produce significantly more lumens than 1 of the more expensive higher watt models. 2 of my lights is still 10 dollars cheaper than one of the more expensive ones as well.

10858601_1533751840238860_345704382842180341_n.jpg

10805584_1533751903572187_4692569317252968618_n.jpg

10675659_1533751973572180_6239795027008873976_n.jpg

1798707_1533752016905509_4613663004014324299_n.jpg
 
In doubling up on fixtures are you looking for more growing space or do you think you need more light intensity?
 
In doubling up on fixtures are you looking for more growing space or do you think you need more light intensity?

A little bit of both. I don't really need more of either right now, I mainly just want to get another one because it's still such a good deal on sale. Adding another one would be relatively inexpensive. It will also give me more light now and the option for more space later, which I like.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Does anyone know anything about a fixture called Illumitex Neosol LS? Or a company called BML? They seem to be different from other makers in the way they design and market their stuff. And the prices are off the chain. I saw the Neosol at a Hydroponics place. And I like the design and looks. There is little info out there save for the company's own. To justify the asking price, it would almost have to perform magic. Does it?
 
  • #11
Got any updates on this unit, Randoja? I'm looking around for a new lighting unit for my new 29 gallon tank. I'm a little concerned that the 16" height might make for too little light at the growing level.

Pearldiver - I've been looking at high-end LED units and it seems the sky's the limit for prices, often depending on the output level on a given unit.
 
  • #12
Got any updates on this unit, Randoja? I'm looking around for a new lighting unit for my new 29 gallon tank. I'm a little concerned that the 16" height might make for too little light at the growing level.

Pearldiver - I've been looking at high-end LED units and it seems the sky's the limit for prices, often depending on the output level on a given unit.

For you, of course. I don't know how evident it is in the pics, but I feel like the light is really working well. Some of these cephs only arrived 3 weeks ago, and have had some hardship. I didn't have any fans on the rack at first, and I think I kinda set a couple of plants back by letting them get a touch of powdery mildew. I've since mounted the cooling fans that I bought for the light directly onto my rack and it has completely taken care of it. My "Big Boy" , that I've had for a bit, is doing quite well, and putting out what appears to be a large size trap. I've noticed some pretty vigorous leaf sprouting on one of mine as well. The light is only on 12 hrs a day for winter, so it's doing what would be expected. I think I've had it for about a month now and I'm very happy with it. I've actually already ordered another, and more of the little fans (they attach perfectly to my rack.) I'm going to keep them at 12 hrs, but would like more intensity during that time. The fixtures are so affordable, and I love the design. Here are some photos.

This typical I've had since 12-2, it had a ton of yellow/brown pitchers that I've since removed. It's producing a lot of new, albeit small, growth and leaves.
10897038_1541769776103733_7462175803499880749_n.jpg

"Big Boy" This guy has been steadily growing one of those smaller pitchers each week. Just a couple days ago the larger crested trap appeared. I'm looking forward to that. I was lucky enough to get this plant from RSS, it's a really great specimen.
1779745_1541769789437065_1393391441776983687_n.jpg

"Hummer's Giant" It has a new leaf sprouting from the center grow point, otherwise it has just been working on this big first trap. It's getting nice sized though, and makes steady progress.
1604486_1541769806103730_2348086290414016625_n.jpg

"Czech Giant" Not growing really fast but it is making progress. I've only had it 3 weeks, so many factors involved.
10906399_1541769822770395_4657588745376652930_n.jpg

"Emu Point" Putting out some new leaves there in the middle.
10150568_1541769849437059_4941024578007766161_n.jpg

This is a non giant Czech clone. New leaf in the middle and it's been working on that pitcher in the forefront.
10906485_1541769879437056_8112268808684123037_n.jpg

Typical growing at an avg pace.
10891770_1541769896103721_7028772788870138183_n.jpg

"Coal Mine Beach" This is the plant that really got the worst of the powdery mildew. It lost a leaf and trap it was working on. It's on the mend now.
1506518_1541769906103720_963431434047510_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • #13
Nice updates good to see such promising results from LEDs, can't wait for mine to arrive.
 
  • #14
That's a great update, Randoja! I really appreciate it. It is nice to get a look at your little ceph plants as they establish themselves as well.
 
  • #15
Thanks Mark, some of them are taking a little bit to recover from the mildew, but the one that was the worst has a very tiny new growth coming out that I spotted with a magnifying glass. Otherwise several of them are doing quite well. I have added a 2nd of the same fixture and kept the photoperiod at 12 hours.
10917825_1546431822304195_6570618396240132299_n.jpg
 
  • #16
I used an app to do the photo, will do next update in higher res.
 
  • #17
Those plants are looking pretty good, which doesn't surprise me. The lumen output of that fixture is in line with a 2-bulb T5HO fixture.
 
  • #18
I ordered one of these, and set it up yesterday. It is pretty bright, way more output than my single t 8 in the same area. Will post some pics later. Looks pretty good, gets a bit warm, but not bad. If you get the timer with it as I did, do know that it does not come with any instructions for setting it up.
 
Last edited:
  • #19
I ordered on of these, and set it up yesterday. It is pretty bright, way more output than my single t 8 in the same area. Will post some pics later. Looks pretty good, gets a bit warm, but not bad. If you get the timer with it as I did, do know that it does not come with any instructions for setting it up.

Nice, I'm very excited to see your results.
 
Back
Top