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I've been looking around for a good light for my newly converted reef tank to freshwater. So far I've landed on Finnex Planted+ 24/7 .
Of course none of the models quite fit my 72" tank and I'm not quite sure what the width coverage would be, i.e. would I need to use two fixtures side by side to cover the 24" width. Tank dimensions are 72x24x24.
Last time I had planted tank I made a "fixture" using some aluminum U channels and some cree xm-l u2 LEDs, I think I used about 14-16 LEDs for 120g tank, so with same layout that would mean about 20-24 LEDs for 180g. Of course by the time all parts are bought I may end up spending $300-500 depending on LEDs (XT-E vs XM-L2), and fixture won't look very neat lol. So I'm leaning towards something retail hehe.
If that finnex 24/7 fixture is a good choice for high/med light tank (possibly with ferts and co2, but definitely with just black blasting sand to start with, will be moving soonish so do not want to deal with dirt then), which length would you suggest?
48" obviously won't cover whole tank well, but would 1' edges on each side get enough light for some low light plants still? and more importantly would I be able to get 24" width covered well with just one fixture. Alternatively I could get two 48" and stagger them so they start from opposite sides and overlap in the middle or would that be too much light? (although if I understand it, this fixture can be dimmed)
Thanks!
Of course none of the models quite fit my 72" tank and I'm not quite sure what the width coverage would be, i.e. would I need to use two fixtures side by side to cover the 24" width. Tank dimensions are 72x24x24.
Last time I had planted tank I made a "fixture" using some aluminum U channels and some cree xm-l u2 LEDs, I think I used about 14-16 LEDs for 120g tank, so with same layout that would mean about 20-24 LEDs for 180g. Of course by the time all parts are bought I may end up spending $300-500 depending on LEDs (XT-E vs XM-L2), and fixture won't look very neat lol. So I'm leaning towards something retail hehe.
If that finnex 24/7 fixture is a good choice for high/med light tank (possibly with ferts and co2, but definitely with just black blasting sand to start with, will be moving soonish so do not want to deal with dirt then), which length would you suggest?
48" obviously won't cover whole tank well, but would 1' edges on each side get enough light for some low light plants still? and more importantly would I be able to get 24" width covered well with just one fixture. Alternatively I could get two 48" and stagger them so they start from opposite sides and overlap in the middle or would that be too much light? (although if I understand it, this fixture can be dimmed)
Thanks!
