Help with efficient lighting...

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M

Myarbro

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 31, 2010
245
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Memphis TN
Good Monday morning everyone!

So, I have decided I want to really go with a heavy planted tank with my new 72"x18.5"x24" that I have been posting about in other areas. I am ordering things for it as my expenses allow, and I have lights coming in the mail tmrw.

They are 2x Marineland LED Double Bright Lighting system. (34-48")
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21973

As the link shows, it has 16x 1 watt LED's at 1,200 Lumens EACH. So essentially, 32x 1 warr LED's at 2,400 Lumens total for the tank.

As I have been reading the stickies, I notice that a lot of people disagree on how to figure out WPG, or the like. As I am new to planted tanks, I really want to get this right. I don't wanna buy the wrong plants for the lighting I have, and I honestly hope I didn't buy completely insufficient lighting.

So I am asking a huge favor of you geniuses. With the info I gave you, is this considered low, med, or high lighting for my tank? From there, I can figure out what plants to select. I would really appreciate it. All the calculations seem to just throw me off. :(

FYI, I will also be getting a nice CO2 system, and will be fertilizing sufficiently.
:popcorn:
 
man i wish i could help you but i know nothing about LED systems for planted tanks. all i know are T5HO, PCs, etc. without knowing that PAR output of the fixture, it's hard to say what category of lighting that will put you in. unless folks on other planted tanks have tried these, its gonna be a lot of trial and error :)
 
Ohh... Well, I hope I didn't completely go wrong with purchasing LED's then. Also, I was reading more reviews of it, and another guy with a 72" aquarium bought 4 of the same size I bought, and just put 2 side by side. SO, if you guys end up saying that just the 2 is not efficient enough, I could purchase another 2, giving me 64 x 1 watt LED's at 4,800 lumen.
 
4 of those fixtures, thats a lot of money!! you sure you dont wanna run T5HOs? :)
 
Yeah, it is a lot of money, but like I said, I already got 2 on the way. Maybe if I needed more I could add a T5HO on top of those two for cheaper? Any good suggestions on a good brand/model.

I just hope someone on here uses LED's. Would really like to know what lighting category I fall under. If it's even low to mid I will be happy enough. Won't be able to do what I dream of in that tank, but I do have aspirations to own a smaller, tall, square, rimless aquarium for almost pure aquascaping in the future. Maybe even a few Discus to add to the beauty.
 
i really like the lights made by Catalina Aquarium. Im currently using their Solar T5HO fixtures. for a cheaper option, you can also check out www.fishneedit.com

I would post this at www.plantedtank.net, those guys really know their lighting over there. not too much activity here for the serious planted tank setups :)
 
jcardona1;4280519; said:
I would post this at www.plantedtank.net, those guys really know their lighting over there. not too much activity here for the serious planted tank setups :)
Click to expand...

Going to do that now. If you are a member over there, shoot me your user ID. Was gonna put you down as a reference. Not sure if this has any benefit though. :p My user ID will be the same as here. Thanks for the help and advice JC!
 
Myarbro;4280539;4280539 said:
Going to do that now. If you are a member over there, shoot me your user ID. Was gonna put you down as a reference. Not sure if this has any benefit though. :p My user ID will be the same as here. Thanks for the help and advice JC!
Click to expand...
mine's the same as well, although i dont have that many posts. mostly i just lurk when i need info haha!
 
Myarbro;4280386; said:
Good Monday morning everyone!

So, I have decided I want to really go with a heavy planted tank with my new 72"x18.5"x24" that I have been posting about in other areas. I am ordering things for it as my expenses allow, and I have lights coming in the mail tmrw.

They are 2x Marineland LED Double Bright Lighting system. (34-48")
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21973

As the link shows, it has 16x 1 watt LED's at 1,200 Lumens EACH. So essentially, 32x 1 warr LED's at 2,400 Lumens total for the tank.

As I have been reading the stickies, I notice that a lot of people disagree on how to figure out WPG, or the like. As I am new to planted tanks, I really want to get this right. I don't wanna buy the wrong plants for the lighting I have, and I honestly hope I didn't buy completely insufficient lighting.

So I am asking a huge favor of you geniuses. With the info I gave you, is this considered low, med, or high lighting for my tank? From there, I can figure out what plants to select. I would really appreciate it. All the calculations seem to just throw me off. :(

FYI, I will also be getting a nice CO2 system, and will be fertilizing sufficiently.
:popcorn:
Click to expand...
i dont think there are rules for leds as they are suppost to emit more light in the growth spectrum?
 
You are running the luminous equivalent of one 25 watt t5 bulb, if you want the numbers for this PM me. For a tank that size the lighting would be considered low light.
 
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