Options for a 72" tank

Apl · 08-06-2012, 04:48 PM

Looks like I will be going ahead with my purchase of the Ray 2. Here is my question. My tank's planted dimensions are 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8". Presently I am running 400 watts of power compacts. I would like to switch to led's for the power savings but I dont want to sacrifice my plants. I think my choices are as follows:
1) 2 x 36" Ray 2
2) one 48" and one 24"
I am aiming for a medium to medium high light source I have been reading up alot but I would just like confirmation of my choice. What may help me to understand this what would be a comparable system light wise in T5's? Which will give me the best performance thanks alot.

Lowe · 08-06-2012, 07:17 PM

What numbers is your 400w of PC bulbs putting out? The single 48" RAY II will be giving you around 40-50 substrate PAR numbers but that does not include the extra 1' on each side. Two 36" RAY II should be giving you medium lighting throughout your whole tank but in comparison to your total 400w PC output, I'd need to know their output for a more accurate comparison.

Apl · 08-06-2012, 07:30 PM

I dont know their output not even sure how to check. All I know is that I am running 4 x 96 watt power compact bulbs.

08-06-2012, 04:48 PM	#1
Apl Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: ct Posts: 18	Options for a 72" tank Looks like I will be going ahead with my purchase of the Ray 2. Here is my question. My tank's planted dimensions are 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8". Presently I am running 400 watts of power compacts. I would like to switch to led's for the power savings but I dont want to sacrifice my plants. I think my choices are as follows: 1) 2 x 36" Ray 2 2) one 48" and one 24" I am aiming for a medium to medium high light source I have been reading up alot but I would just like confirmation of my choice. What may help me to understand this what would be a comparable system light wise in T5's? Which will give me the best performance thanks alot.

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08-06-2012, 07:17 PM	#2
Lowe Finnex (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 403	What numbers is your 400w of PC bulbs putting out? The single 48" RAY II will be giving you around 40-50 substrate PAR numbers but that does not include the extra 1' on each side. Two 36" RAY II should be giving you medium lighting throughout your whole tank but in comparison to your total 400w PC output, I'd need to know their output for a more accurate comparison.

08-06-2012, 07:30 PM	#3
Apl Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: ct Posts: 18	I dont know their output not even sure how to check. All I know is that I am running 4 x 96 watt power compact bulbs.