Lighting recommendations

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

jrflanagan

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 2, 2010
35
0
0
Illinois
I posted this in the planted tank forum, but didn't get much of a response....I figured since this is my favorite forum and it's a SA tank I'd post here and hope for a better response...thanks!




I'm trying to figure out what kind of lighting I should get for a 210 gallon tank (6' long, 29" deep).

I plan on having a moderately planted tank (primarily swords, dwarf hairgrass, anubias, java fern) with most requiring a medium light level

My biggest concern is light penetrating all the way to the bottom. I've been leaning towards MH/PC or MH/T5 combo, but do I need to make that kind of investment or can I achieve the same effect with another set up? Just MH? Just T5 or PC?

What brands do you recommend for fixtures?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
im no expert on lighting especially for freshwater, but from what i do know there really shouldn't be any need for MH with freshwater plants (only thing i see you needing MH for is sps corals), i would go all T5s just because i dont think PCs will be able to penetrate that depth, and also with MH then you have to worry about all that comes with it (super electricity drains and heating up the tank) dont know about brand or anything like that sorry but will most likely have to be at least 2x 3ft 4bulb fixtures, maybe even 6bulb fixtures
 
i can say confirmed for a 24 inch tank. your only going 5 more inches but it could make a difference.
 
i use a 48" strip coralife and it like illuminates my tank.
white light baby, i like it.

i'm sure t5 would hit the bottom of a 29" tank.
i like 50/50's of blue and white light, they're lovely!
 
The swords and java fern are no trouble but the hair grass at 29" might give you trouble. If you use two 36" double PC fixtures with a T5 60" double strip over the tank you might have better luck. Try 10K/6500 combo PC bulbs and 6700 T5. Remember it's not just wattage it's also the spectrum of lighting used.
 
Aquanero;3889165; said:
The swords and java fern are no trouble but the hair grass at 29" might give you trouble. If you use two 36" double PC fixtures with a T5 60" double strip over the tank you might have better luck. Try 10K/6500 combo PC bulbs and 6700 T5. Remember it's not just wattage it's also the spectrum of lighting used.
Click to expand...


:iagree:
 
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