help me light my Mr aqua 12g long

[briansbelle]

This tank its a challenge. I want to have high light plants and co2 but am having trouble finding a nice light to work with it.
the dimensions of the tank make it hard to find lights that will fit without hanging them.

The tank is.35x8x9..

Any ideas?

[acitydweller]

O point out the obvious but have you searched for 36" fixtures or read through any of the hundreds of 12g long journals here to see what others have done?

If you want high light there are plenty of options on the market. The budget will likely be your limiting factor

[somewhatshocked]

You'll definitely want to check out some tank journals. There are tons of fixtures that will provide high light.

Marineland Double Bright, Finnex, Coralife, Deep Blue Profesional.

Most people with this tank prefer to hang their fixture because it's rimless. Obstructing the view of your aquascape may be something you want to consider before deciding not to hang a fixture.

[briansbelle]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to probably pick up a 2 bulb t5ho light fixture to run on the tank for now. That will give me high light right?

For the time being it will be mounted on the tank but once I move I will suspend it on adjustable cords.
Thanks again!
Belle

[beedee]

check out my 12g Long journal, link is in my signature.

i'm using a 36" aquaticlife t5ho dual fixture with one 6500k bulb, and one roseate bulb on my 12g Long. to tame the light once it is filled, i will use two layers of fiberglass window screen.

[briansbelle]

Thanks a bunch! That helps me alot! And then the sig with the 12g club helps alot!

[TexasCichlid]

Try a Finnex Fugeray. Since that tank is so long and shallow, it should provide plenty of light coupled with CO2. Also, the low profile will pair well with the aesthetic of such a long and low tank. A typical T5HO fixture will really be too dominant, in my opinion. If you go the T5HO route, 2x T5HO will be too much light - in my opinion.

[somewhatshocked]

T5HO will give you extremely high light. A T5NO fixture would even give you high light - even suspended above the tank. That'd save you a ton of money.

[briansbelle]

ok yeah i dont want to over do it...lol

what about a deep blue solarmax he single t5ho fixture?

one bulb should not be too overkill right?

[TexasCichlid]

It will be very high light. With substrate, distance from the bulb will be 6-8 inches in a 12g long. That is easily 100+ PAR from a reasonable quality T5HO. This will very much be a potential algae farm. A T5NO or even a T8 would be a much better choice if you are set on bulbs. A Fugeray will be 60+ PAR as well and still require good care with your CO2, but will grow anything you would like in a tank that deep.

[briansbelle]

Ugh this is hard! Lol

I may just go low light and save the high light for my 120 gallon.

If I go low light can I just use a solarmax clamp on led?

[TexasCichlid]

Not hard at all. Buy a Fugeray. Use CO2. Grow whatever you want.

[briansbelle]

a fugeray is out of my budget for this tank...lol

my 120g already has the lighting to be ran as high light(4bulb t5ho deep blue fixture) so i would rather make this one easy and low/medium light....

[TexasCichlid]

You didn't mention you were on a very low budget. Fugeray is the same cost as most single T5HO units, factor in no bulb replacements every year and you'll come out ahead easily. I have not looked at T5NO pricing in a long time so I cannot speak for that.

[briansbelle]

not a very low budget, but certainly not wanting to spend $100 on a fixture...



so i need ideas for some low light fixtures and low light plants that dont need co2....

thanks a bunch!!