Lighting for 75 gallon high tech

26157 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by clownplanted, Apr 14, 2017

vijay_06

Discussion Starter · Apr 12, 2017

I am looking for inputs on lighting for a 75 gallon high tech that I would be setting up.

The tank is 48 inches long, 20 inches tall, 18 inches deep and would have 2 inches of substrate approx. Planning to go with medium/high light need plants and pressurized CO2. I am leaning towards LED options after a lot of reading over the internet and thinking of the below options:

1. A single 48-60 inch Current USA Satellite Plus PRO - Would this be sufficient enough?
2. Finnex Ray 2 (48 inch) and Finnex Planted + 24/7 48 inch
3. Finnex Ray 2 (48 inch) and Finnex FugeRay Planted Plus 48 inch

Budget for lights is $300. I would appreciate any inputs that you can provide. If any other light would work better, I will be glad to go with it.

Thanks!

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jeffkrol

· #2 · Apr 12, 2017

Two or add to any above..

https://www.amazon.com/Beamswork-65...&qid=1492026650&sr=8-1&keywords=beamswork+48"
And if you find a freshwater version (6500k). Stand alone, one unit.:
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Elemen...&qid=1492026732&sr=8-8&keywords=beamswork+48"

wouldn't suggest one plus pro..tanks too wide.
Same w/ this but w/ controller is still under $300 ($270.98)
https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A3992...&qid=1492026906&sr=8-11&keywords=fluval+plant
Add $30-$70 for supplimental light.

all in one mega-solution:
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-fw-plant-lights/34-sbox-pro-32-timer-fresh-water-plant.html
363w (121x3w diodes)
dimmable of course...

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sohankpatel

· #3 · Apr 12, 2017

Option 4, (Best IMO) is to DIY a fixture, you can build one that will outperform any of these by a mile for about $300, depending on what components you use. T5HO will still get you the best color rendition. IMO, I hate LEDs right now, there is nobody that replaces the void that BML left when the stopped aquarium lighting.
All commercial LEDS are mediocre, I would DIY a fixture with that kind of budget.

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vijay_06

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 12, 2017

jeffkrol said:
Two or add to any above..

https://www.amazon.com/Beamswork-65...&qid=1492026650&sr=8-1&keywords=beamswork+48"
And if you find a freshwater version (6500k). Stand alone, one unit.:
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Elemen...&qid=1492026732&sr=8-8&keywords=beamswork+48"

wouldn't suggest one plus pro..tanks too wide.
Same w/ this but w/ controller is still under $300 ($270.98)
https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A3992...&qid=1492026906&sr=8-11&keywords=fluval+plant
Add $30-$70 for supplimental light.

all in one mega-solution:
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-fw-plant-lights/34-sbox-pro-32-timer-fresh-water-plant.html
363w (121x3w diodes)
dimmable of course...

Thanks for the inputs. This is the first time I am heating about the SBReeflights (freshwater). I will explore more on this.

sohankpatel said:
Option 4, (Best IMO) is to DIY a fixture, you can build one that will outperform any of these by a mile for about $300, depending on what components you use. T5HO will still get you the best color rendition. IMO, I hate LEDs right now, there is nobody that replaces the void that BML left when the stopped aquarium lighting.
All commercial LEDS are mediocre, I would DIY a fixture with that kind of budget.

Thanks!

I was reading a lot of T5HO too, but felt LED might be a better long term option. If I were to go with T5HO, do you have any suggestions for the fixture and bulbs? Would I need a 2 bulb or 4 bulb fixture for my setup? Hanging the fixture from ceiling is not an option.

Also, do you have any references on how to go about DIY LED?

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Seattle_Aquarist

· #5 · Apr 12, 2017

vijay_06 said:
I am looking for inputs on lighting for a 75 gallon high tech that I would be setting up.

The tank is 48 inches long, 20 inches tall, 18 inches deep and would have 2 inches of substrate approx. Planning to go with medium/high light need plants and pressurized CO2. I am leaning towards LED options after a lot of reading over the internet and thinking of the below options:

1. A single 48-60 inch Current USA Satellite Plus PRO - Would this be sufficient enough?
2. Finnex Ray 2 (48 inch) and Finnex Planted + 24/7 48 inch
3. Finnex Ray 2 (48 inch) and Finnex FugeRay Planted Plus 48 inch

Budget for lights is $300. I would appreciate any inputs that you can provide. If any other light would work better, I will be glad to go with it.T

hanks!

Hi vijay,

About a year ago I was looking for a LED light, here is a comparison of three of the more popular models that I put together. Last fall, when the Marineland LED on my 75 gallon died I purchased the same make but in the 48"-60" version to replace it. On the 75 gallon the F&P 2.0 puts out a maximum of [email protected] through a glass Versa-Top and [email protected]+ at the substrate level.

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vijay_06

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 12, 2017 (Edited by Moderator)

jeffkrol said:
Two or add to any above..

https://www.amazon.com/Beamswork-65...&qid=1492026650&sr=8-1&keywords=beamswork+48"
And if you find a freshwater version (6500k). Stand alone, one unit.:
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Elemen...&qid=1492026732&sr=8-8&keywords=beamswork+48"

wouldn't suggest one plus pro..tanks too wide.
Same w/ this but w/ controller is still under $300 ($270.98)
https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A3992...&qid=1492026906&sr=8-11&keywords=fluval+plant
Add $30-$70 for supplimental light.

all in one mega-solution:
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-fw-plant-lights/34-sbox-pro-32-timer-fresh-water-plant.html
363w (121x3w diodes)
dimmable of course...

Thanks! I am hearing about the SBReef light for the first time. Will check it out.

sohankpatel said:
Option 4, (Best IMO) is to DIY a fixture, you can build one that will outperform any of these by a mile for about $300, depending on what components you use. T5HO will still get you the best color rendition. IMO, I hate LEDs right now, there is nobody that replaces the void that BML left when the stopped aquarium lighting.
All commercial LEDS are mediocre, I would DIY a fixture with that kind of budget.

Thank you! If I were to go with T5HO, what kind of fixture and bulbs would you recommend? Would I need a 2 or 4 bulb fixture? Hanging the fixture is not an option for me. I was not able find any 4 bulb T5HO fixture that can be mounted on the tank.

Seattle_Aquarist said:
Hi vijay,

About a year ago I was looking for a LED light, here is a comparison of three of the more popular models that I put together. Last fall, when the Marineland LED on my 75 gallon died I purchased the same make but in the 48"-60" version to replace it. On the 75 gallon the F&P 2.0 puts out a maximum of [email protected] through a glass Versa-Top and [email protected]+ at the substrate level.

Thanks! I was reading about the fluval a lot. The reason why I did not consider it finally was its 7500k color temperature. Based on what I read, 6500k is optimal for aquatic plant growth. How does the 7550k compare with 6500k for good plant growth?

Also, would 1 of this work for a 18 inch wide/deep 75 gallon high tech tank with medium/ high light plants?

Thanks! I am reading about SFReef light for the first time, will explore more.

Bump:

sohankpatel said:
Option 4, (Best IMO) is to DIY a fixture, you can build one that will outperform any of these by a mile for about $300, depending on what components you use. T5HO will still get you the best color rendition. IMO, I hate LEDs right now, there is nobody that replaces the void that BML left when the stopped aquarium lighting.
All commercial LEDS are mediocre, I would DIY a fixture with that kind of budget.

Thank you! Hanging a T5 light fixture is not an option for me. What fixture would you suggest that can be mounted on top of the tank? Would I need a 2 or 4 light fixture and what bulbs would you recommend?

Bump:

Seattle_Aquarist said:
Hi vijay,

About a year ago I was looking for a LED light, here is a comparison of three of the more popular models that I put together. Last fall, when the Marineland LED on my 75 gallon died I purchased the same make but in the 48"-60" version to replace it. On the 75 gallon the F&P 2.0 puts out a maximum of [email protected] through a glass Versa-Top and [email protected]+ at the substrate level.

Thank you!

I was reading about this fluval a lot but did not consider further due to its 7500k color temperature rating? Wouldn't a 6500k temperature rating be better? Also, would just 1 48-60 inch fluval be sufficient for the 18 inch deep/wide 75 gallon high tech with high light plants?

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sohankpatel

· #7 · Apr 13, 2017

vijay_06 said:
Thanks! I am hearing about the SBReef light for the first time. Will check it out.

Thank you! If I were to go with T5HO, what kind of fixture and bulbs would you recommend? Would I need a 2 or 4 bulb fixture? Hanging the fixture is not an option for me. I was not able find any 4 bulb T5HO fixture that can be mounted on the tank.

Thank you! Hanging a T5 light fixture is not an option for me. What fixture would you suggest that can be mounted on top of the tank? Would I need a 2 or 4 light fixture and what bulbs would you recommend?

Look at this:
https://www.amazon.com/Agrobrite-FL...UTF8&qid=1492045667&sr=1-1&keywords=agrobrite
4 bulbs for high light.
You would have to devise some kind of way to lift this off the tank. I have seen people take conduit and use it to make a mount for the light. I know that @burr740 uses a fixture similar to this, he has a very nice tank with t5ho, he will know what bulbs to use.

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jeffkrol

· #8 · Apr 13, 2017

Based on what I read, 6500k is optimal for aquatic plant growth.

Old fishmongers tale..

not worried about the PAR of the Fluval, has plenty.
do worry a bit about f/back spread near the surface.
got a thing about dark spots..

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Reactions: 2

vijay_06

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 14, 2017

Thank you all! I have decided to go with the fluval and supplement it with something (maybe planted 24/7 SE).

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Reactions: 2

Aqua99

· #10 · Apr 14, 2017

vijay_06 said:
I was reading about this fluval a lot but did not consider further due to its 7500k color temperature rating? Wouldn't a 6500k temperature rating be better? Also, would just 1 48-60 inch fluval be sufficient for the 18 inch deep/wide 75 gallon high tech with high light plants?

I wouldn't worry about this one bit. At one time I was so caught up in this that I was mixing various k temp white lights to hit all those "perfect/preferred" growth perameters... until several people (one from here in particular) frequently mentioned how plants adapt to what you give them (within reason of course), and it finally sunk in.

I now choose a temp that I prefer the color of (for me 7,000+) and adjust the intensity to what works for my plants. I even have some 8,000-10,000k going in 2 tanks and the plants/carpet in those tanks looks just as good.

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Reactions: 1

vijay_06

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 14, 2017

Aqua99 said:
I wouldn't worry about this one bit. At one time I was so caught up in this that I was mixing various k temp white lights to hit all those "perfect/preferred" growth perameters... until several people (one from here in particular) frequently mentioned how plants adapt to what you give them (within reason of course), and it finally sunk in.

I now choose a temp that I prefer the color of (for me 7,000+) and adjust the intensity to what works for my plants. I even have some 8,000-10,000k going in 2 tanks and the plants/carpet in those tanks looks just as good.

Good to know, thanks!

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clownplanted

· #12 · Apr 14, 2017

jeffkrol said:
Two or add to any above..
all in one mega-solution:
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-fw-plant-lights/34-sbox-pro-32-timer-fresh-water-plant.html
363w (121x3w diodes)
dimmable of course...

That is freaking sweet. Never saw that before. How do you like this one? Is there any par readings out there for this bad boy?? :surprise:

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