Questions about bulb type for Catalina 3x54w for 80g.

Stevoh · 07-02-2012, 03:48 AM

So I have been searching for a new light for my recently setup tank(about 2-2.5 months now). This is my first "planted" tank and in an impulse newbie buy, bought a used and seemingly tired Catalina Reef MH+CF setup(didnt know what I was doing

). Running only three bulbs now which two are 10K and one of them is kind of yellowish(guessing a 6700 or 6500k). Metal Halides turned on for an hour or two every now and then. But have stopped as I read they create radiation(wrong light specturm as well) and I removed the glass on top.

Anyways I am going to be purchasing a Catalina 3x54w as it seems to be a very good light even for a 80 gal. Which bulbs should I get? I was thinking 2 6700K and a 10K would be good. But noticed they have a Plant Grow bulb. Should I get it with this bulb?

I would like a nicely planted tank, but don't need excess growth or want expensive highlight high maintenance plants. So maybe no on the pink bulb? Or could I even get away with one 6700k and two 10K for aesthetic reason? Would like to possibly carpet it a bit too. Recommendations for this?

Here is a pic of my tank to get an idea, substrate to a a couple of inches above top of tank is 21-22 inches.

Dont mind the rock on the wood, the wood still floats haha.

**Hoppy** · 07-02-2012, 04:29 AM

Three T5HO bulbs mounted close together, and only 22 inches from the substrate, will give you way too much light - perhaps as much as 200 micromols of PAR. If you use just two bulbs, and have Catalina make you a custom fixture with the bulbs about 7-8 inches apart, you would have medium intensity lighting that would cover the whole tank pretty well.

Stevoh · 07-02-2012, 08:53 AM

Interesting. I was thinking about just using 2 bulbs at a time, and maybe a third if needed(noon "bursts" or for viewing). This is what I have read a lot of peple doing. Is there a calculator that can tell me the PARs on a certain setup? I can probably raise the light fixture higher if need be. From viewing pics of the fixture with stock legs I would think it would raise the light higher than 1-2 inches above the top of the tank.

But I do like the idea of actually buying a couple single T5HO Catalina fixtures(a little different than a custom unit, but does the same thing) to spread the lights apart. If I were to go that route would one 6700k and one 10K fixture be good for plants and whitening up the light for aesthetics? However I worry that this may not be enough light as I have not really read anyone doing this, but to be fair I haven't specifically looked into it. Thanks Hoppy.

I should also mention that I eventually want to run pressurized Co2 as well and dose ferts. But for now would like to get my light squared away as the unit right now is kind of meh(pretty much needs atleast two CF bulbs)

**Hoppy** · 07-02-2012, 05:18 PM

There is no calculator for figuring out PAR values, because different manufacturers light fixtures vary way too much in reflector quality, and sometimes in ballast quality. It takes PAR measurements for specific lights to do a reasonable job of estimating how much PAR you get from a specific light fixture. I have been collecting all of the PAR data I can for different lights, and use that, plus the charts in the sticky for other lights.

Two one bulb Catalina lights would probably give you good results too, but you do need to keep the bulbs around 7-8 inches apart so there is little overlap of the brightest part of the light from each one. The bulbs you use is something you can decide, based on what looks best to you.

Stevoh · 07-02-2012, 09:41 PM

Ok cool thanks Hoppy. I took a look at your sticky actually. Very informative. I was also thinking of actually getting something that might get the job done, maybe not as good as two fixtures spaced apart, but how about a 2x54w wide fixture from Catalina?

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/stor...oducts_id=1842

The reflectors are pretty wide and I think are the same in the 1x54w units. Remeber I can hang the unit as well to get better coverage. I think the 2x54w would look better and be easier to hang or place on the tank versus the pewter colored 1x54w that I am not sure I can even hang looking at the hood.

Going off your chart, hanging it at 25 inches from substrate would give me about 50 micromols. Two would give me 100? I can always run one and use the 2nd if needed. Or maybe hang it at 30 inches and be in medium light with both bulbs. Hanging it so high would rival the 7-8 inch spaced single fixture in coverage correct?

07-02-2012, 03:48 AM	#1
Stevoh Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 7	Questions about bulb type for Catalina 3x54w for 80g. So I have been searching for a new light for my recently setup tank(about 2-2.5 months now). This is my first "planted" tank and in an impulse newbie buy, bought a used and seemingly tired Catalina Reef MH+CF setup(didnt know what I was doing ). Running only three bulbs now which two are 10K and one of them is kind of yellowish(guessing a 6700 or 6500k). Metal Halides turned on for an hour or two every now and then. But have stopped as I read they create radiation(wrong light specturm as well) and I removed the glass on top. Anyways I am going to be purchasing a Catalina 3x54w as it seems to be a very good light even for a 80 gal. Which bulbs should I get? I was thinking 2 6700K and a 10K would be good. But noticed they have a Plant Grow bulb. Should I get it with this bulb? I would like a nicely planted tank, but don't need excess growth or want expensive highlight high maintenance plants. So maybe no on the pink bulb? Or could I even get away with one 6700k and two 10K for aesthetic reason? Would like to possibly carpet it a bit too. Recommendations for this? Here is a pic of my tank to get an idea, substrate to a a couple of inches above top of tank is 21-22 inches. Dont mind the rock on the wood, the wood still floats haha.

07-02-2012, 04:29 AM	#2
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (53/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,206	Three T5HO bulbs mounted close together, and only 22 inches from the substrate, will give you way too much light - perhaps as much as 200 micromols of PAR. If you use just two bulbs, and have Catalina make you a custom fixture with the bulbs about 7-8 inches apart, you would have medium intensity lighting that would cover the whole tank pretty well. __________________ Hoppy

07-02-2012, 05:18 PM	#4
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (53/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,206	There is no calculator for figuring out PAR values, because different manufacturers light fixtures vary way too much in reflector quality, and sometimes in ballast quality. It takes PAR measurements for specific lights to do a reasonable job of estimating how much PAR you get from a specific light fixture. I have been collecting all of the PAR data I can for different lights, and use that, plus the charts in the sticky for other lights. Two one bulb Catalina lights would probably give you good results too, but you do need to keep the bulbs around 7-8 inches apart so there is little overlap of the brightest part of the light from each one. The bulbs you use is something you can decide, based on what looks best to you. __________________ Hoppy

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07-02-2012, 08:53 AM	#3
Stevoh Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 7	Interesting. I was thinking about just using 2 bulbs at a time, and maybe a third if needed(noon "bursts" or for viewing). This is what I have read a lot of peple doing. Is there a calculator that can tell me the PARs on a certain setup? I can probably raise the light fixture higher if need be. From viewing pics of the fixture with stock legs I would think it would raise the light higher than 1-2 inches above the top of the tank. But I do like the idea of actually buying a couple single T5HO Catalina fixtures(a little different than a custom unit, but does the same thing) to spread the lights apart. If I were to go that route would one 6700k and one 10K fixture be good for plants and whitening up the light for aesthetics? However I worry that this may not be enough light as I have not really read anyone doing this, but to be fair I haven't specifically looked into it. Thanks Hoppy. I should also mention that I eventually want to run pressurized Co2 as well and dose ferts. But for now would like to get my light squared away as the unit right now is kind of meh(pretty much needs atleast two CF bulbs)

07-02-2012, 09:41 PM	#5
Stevoh Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 7	Ok cool thanks Hoppy. I took a look at your sticky actually. Very informative. I was also thinking of actually getting something that might get the job done, maybe not as good as two fixtures spaced apart, but how about a 2x54w wide fixture from Catalina? http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/stor...oducts_id=1842 The reflectors are pretty wide and I think are the same in the 1x54w units. Remeber I can hang the unit as well to get better coverage. I think the 2x54w would look better and be easier to hang or place on the tank versus the pewter colored 1x54w that I am not sure I can even hang looking at the hood. Going off your chart, hanging it at 25 inches from substrate would give me about 50 micromols. Two would give me 100? I can always run one and use the 2nd if needed. Or maybe hang it at 30 inches and be in medium light with both bulbs. Hanging it so high would rival the 7-8 inch spaced single fixture in coverage correct?