[calebringabell]

Hello I am looking for a light recommendation for my 90 gallon tank that is dosed with co2. I have mosses (various types), ludwigia stem plant, crypts (various types), java ferns, cardinal plant, and anacharis. Dwarf sagitarria for grass, isn’t doing too great on the bottom.

I would eventually like to grow buce of various types.

I current have a 36 inch Nicrew RGB and a 12-18inch Nicrew CLASSICLED Gen 2. Id preferably just like to have one light but I could do two. My plants aren’t anything crazy but the lower growing plants don’t seem to thrive.

 

[minorhero]

Hello I am looking for a light recommendation for my 90 gallon tank that is dosed with co2. I have mosses (various types), ludwigia stem plant, crypts (various types), java ferns, cardinal plant, and anacharis. Dwarf sagitarria for grass, isn’t doing too great on the bottom.

I would eventually like to grow buce of various types.

I current have a 36 inch Nicrew RGB and a 12-18inch Nicrew CLASSICLED Gen 2. Id preferably just like to have one light but I could do two. My plants aren’t anything crazy but the lower growing plants don’t seem to thrive.

Any features you are looking for like app control or do you just want your plants to look nice?

My goto bar light is a Twinstar S series of the correct length for your tank (I presume 48"?). But it is just a light, you would need your own timer/smart plug. And it it won't do sunset or sunrise.

If you want app control then either a Fluval 3.0 or a couple of AI Prime or Kessil lights would be my choice.

 

[Kurama9]

Dwarf Sag can handle medium light I think, it will just grow taller looking for more light. Higher light with co2 usually. But um.. is it dying? You said it's not doing good. What does that mean? Because it might be a fert issue not a light issue?

All of the plants you listed can handle low/medium light and be fine. I don't know what a cardinal plant is tho so I can't speak on that one.

What is your substrate and fert regimen?

 

[calebringabell]

Any features you are looking for like app control or do you just want your plants to look nice?

My goto bar light is a Twinstar S series of the correct length for your tank (I presume 48"?). But it is just a light, you would need your own timer/smart plug. And it it won't do sunset or sunrise.

If you want app control then either a Fluval 3.0 or a couple of AI Prime or Kessil lights would be my choice.

How would you compare fluval to twinstar? I’m leaning more towards fluval 3.0 Do you think it would grow buce? Twinstars price point is a little steep for what i currently make haha

Dwarf Sag can handle medium light I think, it will just grow taller looking for more light. Higher light with co2 usually. But um.. is it dying? You said it's not doing good. What does that mean? Because it might be a fert issue not a light issue?

All of the plants you listed can handle low/medium light and be fine. I don't know what a cardinal plant is tho so I can't speak on that one.

What is your substrate and fert regimen?

Well I say it wasn’t doing good because I put SO much into this tank and basically ALL of it melted (few clumps are left). I probably need to refertilize the sand since that’s been 3 months ago.

I’m not gonna dose fertilizer in the column for a while because I’m battling algae like crazy.

 

[Goodwood]

I’m not gonna dose fertilizer in the column for a while because I’m battling algae like crazy.

Not dosing fertilizers into the water column could be a reason why you have algae. Algae thrives on imbalances of nutrients, light and co2. These three things need to be in balance for your you to succeed in growing plants.

What is your water change routine?
When you do dose the water column, what do you dose and how much?

Most of the plants you have will do just fine under lower light levels. You could probably remove the smaller light and raise your 36" light above the tank to get a better spread and reduce light intensity.

To your original question....

The Fluval 3.0 would be my pick. And it should be enough to grow bucephalandra and the rest of your plants. The app control seems pretty sweet too.

 

[jeffkrol]

All of the plants you listed can handle low/medium light and be fine. I don't know what a cardinal plant is tho so I can't speak on that one.

How to grow Lobelia cardinalis

Lobelia cardinalis is a light green stem plant that has attractive salad-like leaves. While the leaves can be purple when grown emersed, the submerged leaves are generally totally light green, with the slightest hint of purple under very high light. It originates from America.

www.2hraquarist.com

Hello I am looking for a light recommendation for my 90 gallon tank that is dosed with co2. I have mosses (various types), ludwigia stem plant, crypts (various types), java ferns, cardinal plant, and anacharis. Dwarf sagitarria for grass, isn’t doing too great on the bottom.

I would eventually like to grow buce of various types.

I current have a 36 inch Nicrew RGB and a 12-18inch Nicrew CLASSICLED Gen 2. Id preferably just like to have one light but I could do two. My plants aren’t anything crazy but the lower growing plants don’t seem to thrive.

Sometimes a light issue, sometimes not getting enough CO2 to the bottom.

Good CO2 and low light is more successful than high light and low CO2 levels

 

[calebringabell]

Not dosing fertilizers into the water column could be a reason why you have algae. Algae thrives on imbalances of nutrients, light and co2. These three things need to be in balance for your you to succeed in growing plants.

What is your water change routine?
When you do dose the water column, what do you dose and how much?

Most of the plants you have will do just fine under lower light levels. You could probably remove the smaller light and raise your 36" light above the tank to get a better spread and reduce light intensity.

To your original question....

The Fluval 3.0 would be my pick. And it should be enough to grow bucephalandra and the rest of your plants. The app control seems pretty sweet too.

I use nilocG complete. I dose whatever the amount is for 90 gallons. I haven’t been able to keep up with it since i’m at college. same with water changes. When i’m home i’ll be doing routine weekly water changes. I do about 20-30% water changes when I do them. I need to clean my filters too that’s been a hot minute. I know maintenance needs to be priority. It will be when i’m back home soon.

But yeah i’m thinking that fluval would be nice. However I’m not sure about hanging it since I want as much light as possible to get to the bottom of the tank.

Sometimes a light issue, sometimes not getting enough CO2 to the bottom.

Good CO2 and low light is more successful than high light and low CO2 levels

I have good co2 and low light i think

 

[klibs]

90g really sucks for planted setups because they are so damn tall. Light has to travel through 24" of water... So the top of your tank will get a ton of light while the bottom barely any

I think you'll want something fairly powerful that you can hang above the tank so the bottom gets enough for low-tech plants to do ok

Also in my experience most of the classic low tech plants are extremely resilient and tolerant of a wide variety of conditions. Stick to stuff like crypts/swords/anubias etc. With enough light (low) and any amount of nutrients they will still grow, albeit slowly. CO2 will definitely help them but it's not like they are going to crumble if your CO2 isn't perfect. For crypts/swords as long as they have some amount of nutrients (dosing by water column and/or substrate) they will be fine. I much prefer dosing water column since root tabs run out and it's hard to tell when. I am guessing you can get away with minimal dosing and you will be fine. Just don't let things bottom out.

Any kind of carpet or any plant that stays low will be really challenging with tank that tall. The larger plants will desperately grow vertically to reach the light and continually shade out the lower parts of the tank. This is why I hate tall tanks. Many aquarium plants are wired to move towards the light and dominate so those that are able to do so will take advantage.

Pics of your setup would also help with advice. Planning your layout and hardscape etc will help out

 

[senso]

Lighting a tall tank can be difficult as I struggle to find the balance between algae and growth. For years I used a Kessil 360 Tuna Sun. Many elements that I enjoy about it. I am sure there are many advancements in lighting.

What suspended lights has anyone used successfully for deep tanks?

 

[calebringabell]

So I’ve figured out that my lighting situation is basically starving my plants in my 90G tank. I need to get new lights. Is there a light that could give me medium tech lighting and I could get one light? I am noticing these big brand name lights are a pretty penny, but then I think I would have to buy two to make any sort of medium tech lighting situation…

Any advice? I don’t mind saving for two, but if someone knows of a one light system why not do that?

 

[jeffkrol]

So I’ve figured out that my lighting situation is basically starving my plants in my 90G tank. I need to get new lights. Is there a light that could give me medium tech lighting and I could get one light? I am noticing these big brand name lights are a pretty penny, but then I think I would have to buy two to make any sort of medium tech lighting situation…

Any advice? I don’t mind saving for two, but if someone knows of a one light system why not do that?

Chihiros is about the closest in general for a single light solution with programming and intensity.

2 AI Primes FW are a 2 puck solution.
Fluval, Finnex, Nicrew, Hyggar are some "2 bar" solutions.

Some more err more simple out of the box include Beamswork (2) and Twinstar (2).

Twinstar Light Ver. III C Series LED (adjustable leg w/ built-in dimmer)

TWINSTAR LED (C-series Vr. II): This is the Version II of the (C-series) light with 6 different models (300CA/300CC/450CA/450CC/600CA and 600CC). They are the new 'Compact size Model" featuring the full spectrum, RGB-W aquarium LED light that are now producing more vivid colors for both plants...

aquaforestaquarium.com

AND t5 (3 tubes or more)..

48x18x24 deep right?
You need to define needs/wants a bit finer..

 

[calebringabell]

Chihiros is about the closest in general for a single light solution with programming and intensity.

2 AI Primes FW are a 2 puck solution.
Fluval, Finnex, Nicrew, Hyggar are some "2 bar" solutions.

Some more err more simple out of the box include Beamswork (2) and Twinstar (1).
AND t5 (4 tubes or more)..

48x18x24 deep right?
You need to define needs/wants a bit finer..

Correct on the dimensions. I need to keep plants at a medium/high tech level. I want to have a jungle or lush growth that is. Fluval 3.0 provides amazing PAR but I am afraid I’d have to pay $234.99 x 2 where I could get roughly half the PAR (but still be in the 60s at 24”) for $67.99 with Hygger 24/7

 

[jeffkrol]

2 60w hyggers is about $300.
Chihiros about $600.
Micmole aqua air g3 is about $400

LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol

LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol

www.micmol.com

Unless you use cheap floods or hort. T5's you will have a hard time lighting it for under about or near $300....

 

[calebringabell]

2 60w hyggers is about $300.
Chihiros about $600.
Micmole aqua air g3 is about $400

LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol

LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol

www.micmol.com

Unless you use cheap floods or hort. T5's you will have a hard time lighting it for under about or near $300....

So Lookign at that Micmole is that 1200 G3 going to do well for my depth? It shows par as it radiates away from the center but doesn’t talk about depth correct?

I contacted aquarium co-op about their new light. The video he had testing PAR he never said what tank it was. I asked about… they said its a 65 tall with 24” depth… without a lid it was 90 PAR! I think this may be the way to go! They are decently priced! 90PAR should do me well, and I could buy two for the price of that in comparison to Fluval 3.0

 

[jeffkrol]

So Lookign at that Micmole is that 1200 G3 going to do well for my depth? It shows par as it radiates away from the center but doesn’t talk about depth correct?

Well there are 2 ways to look at it and a few ways to measure it.

If they measured in "free air" (no tank, no water) the measurements are skewed generally low the farther you go.
This is the cheapest method for a manuf. and the most likely.
Second they usually (unless stated) measure from light to test point not say 23" "in tank". Inflates par UP a bit since your light is a few to many inches off the water line or tank height.

What light did the co op test?

 

[calebringabell]

Well there are 2 ways to look at it and a few ways to measure it.

If they measured in "free air" (no tank, no water) the measurements are skewed generally low the farther you go.
This is the cheapest method for a manuf. and the most likely.
Second they usually (unless stated) measure from light to test point not say 23" "in tank". Inflates par UP a bit since your light is a few to many inches off the water line or tank height.

What light did the co op test?

They were testing their own brand. They had water in the tank and showed how going away from the main light (corners and outsides) lowered PAR.

 

[JasPR]

Hello I am looking for a light recommendation for my 90 gallon tank that is dosed with co2. I have mosses (various types), ludwigia stem plant, crypts (various types), java ferns, cardinal plant, and anacharis. Dwarf sagitarria for grass, isn’t doing too great on the bottom.

I would eventually like to grow buce of various types.

I current have a 36 inch Nicrew RGB and a 12-18inch Nicrew CLASSICLED Gen 2. Id preferably just like to have one light but I could do two. My plants aren’t anything crazy but the lower growing plants don’t seem to thrive.
[/QUOTE. If money is not object-- The kessil A360X with proper mounting arm. Awesome

 

[jeffkrol]

Tank dimensions are helpful. Could be a standard 90 or could not be.
Budget is helpful
Also besides growing plants do you want it to do anything? Dimming, ramping ect.
Then do you have a preference for how it's mounted?
Any restrictions such as cross braces?
Last choice of "style". Puck or bar? Fancy or plain? Ect.

Order of importance is up to you.

I like to sum it up in you need to define needs and wants.