Lighting for 60p low tech

1305 Views 9 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Couesfanatic, Sep 18, 2012

Couesfanatic

Discussion Starter · Sep 17, 2012 (Edited)

I decided to sell my Mini S and 20 long and move up to a 60p. I want to do low light and use the Finnex Ray 2 I have currently. How high would I need the light to be to run a low tech tank? Moss, Java ferns, crypts and rotala rotunidfolia. If I put the light 22 inches over the substrate that is 8 inches over the water. That should put me in a pretty good range I'm guessing. Any ideas? Also I have never hung a light before. Is 8 inches going to be bothersome as far as sitting in the room with it?

Iv'e also considered selling it and hanging the Marineland double bright 24-36 inch near the top of the tank.

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TexasCichlid

· #2 · Sep 17, 2012

6 inches above the rim would make for 20 par or less at the substrate if my math is anywhere close to correct, which it may or may not be. Hang it 4-6 inches above the rim and see if you mind the lighting effect. Then give it a shot and see if you are growing algae. If not, then everything is good.

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Couesfanatic

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 17, 2012 (Edited)

Well I must be blind. I missed the little numbers on the chart that say at 24 inches its 36 par. Can anyone give an opinion about if this would be too much light? I might try it. Worst thing that is gunna happen is that I trade it out for the cheaper Marineland Double Bright. I like to keep my light a pretty low par, I don't want to be borderline needing co2. Not sure which way to go.

According to the LED lighting compendium 10-30 is low light, 30-80 is medium.

The Marineland Double bright 24-36 inch would give me 19 par at 24 inches. Probably could hang it at 22 and call it good. Thats what I'm thinking.

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Couesfanatic

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 18, 2012

I must be nuts. The spotlighting effect the marineland does is ridiculous. Maybe I will keep this Finnex.

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eeng168

· #5 · Sep 18, 2012

I have 2 Finnex 36" over a 50 and whoa...I don't even need to turn on the lights in the room with the reflection.

Let me know how it goes because I plan on doing the same exact thing, 60-P with a Finnex ray II 24"

Couesfanatic said:
I decided to sell my Mini S and 20 long and move up to a 60p. I want to do low light and use the Finnex Ray 2 I have currently. How high would I need the light to be to run a low tech tank? Moss, Java ferns, crypts and rotala rotunidfolia. If I put the light 22 inches over the substrate that is 8 inches over the water. That should put me in a pretty good range I'm guessing. Any ideas? Also I have never hung a light before. Is 8 inches going to be bothersome as far as sitting in the room with it?

Iv'e also considered selling it and hanging the Marineland double bright 24-36 inch near the top of the tank.

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Couesfanatic

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 18, 2012

Will do. Just noticed the Fuge Ray 24 inch has 105 at 6, 45 at 12 inches and 22 at 18 inches. That might work as well.

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eeng168

· #7 · Sep 18, 2012

I'm spoiled by the high output of the ray II.

I just got a fugeray 10" and a 12", was not strong enough for me, plus.... I'm never going to use the blue LEDs...

A 36" ray II will really be too much for the 60- P?

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Couesfanatic

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 18, 2012 (Edited)

why would you use a 36 inch ray 2 over a 60p? do you already have the light or something? Thats even more light than the 24 inch.

I'm just trying to keep my light as a low light tank, so 24 inches over substrate should be close, maybe a little more light than I want.

what blue led's? are you talking about the moonlight? Got any pics of how the light looked?

I guess my only question now is, should I keep the Ray 2 and raise it up, or try out the Fugeray. Both 24 inches.

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eeng168

· #9 · Sep 18, 2012

Sorry, meant to say 24"

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Couesfanatic

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 18, 2012

Oh I see. Well the ray 2 may be too much for a low light, unless it is raised pretty high. I have two of the Ray 2 already. I think I will sell one and buy the Fugeray and see which one will work better for me.

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