New Tank new Lights.

1296 Views 12 Replies 4 Participants Last post by latchdan, May 10, 2014

latchdan

Discussion Starter · Apr 29, 2014

So I'm going to be purchasing a Mr.Aqua 48 gallon tank which dimensions are 35.4X17.7X17.7. I figure I'm going to have about 3 inches of substrate. I'm contemplating what Finnex fixtures I should get.

I'm using this post to get the PAR values, http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=189944&highlight=finnex

I want a high light tank so I'm not sure if I should get 1 ray2 or maybe 2 FugeRAYs/planted ones or even 2 rays.

I'm guessing its gonna be around 15" from lights to substrate the ray 2 would give between 60-80, right under the light. The FugeRAY would be 47-73 Right under. Since its such a wide tank I'm not sure if just 1 light will give me ample coverage.

Any suggestions? Also I don't have the PAR values for the planted FugeRAY I'm assuming its the same as the regular one?

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Nanoful

· #2 · Apr 29, 2014

Hey there!

If u go with ray2 then u r at high light
Fugeray will give u mid-- high

And I don't think one will be enough " u need at least 2

Just get ready to battle with some " green,black,string stuffs";p (rayss 2) if u don't dial in co2 and fer properly !

R u gonna go with the low iron one! They r sooo nice plus extra tall for scape

Save

Brian_Cali77

· #3 · Apr 29, 2014 (Edited)

Just get one BML. It has the highest PAR right now with an optional dimmer. So you'll be able to dial in not only the CO2, but also the intensity.

Current/Ecoxotic will be releasing their high output plant LED soon. Might wanna wait for that.

Save

latchdan

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 29, 2014

Nanoful said:
Hey there!

If u go with ray2 then u r at high light
Fugeray will give u mid-- high

And I don't think one will be enough " u need at least 2

Just get ready to battle with some " green,black,string stuffs";p (rayss 2) if u don't dial in co2 and fer properly !

R u gonna go with the low iron one! They r sooo nice plus extra tall for scape

What do you mean Low Iron one?

I currently have a high light tank with co2 injection with EI dosing but want a wider/larger tank.

Just get one BML. It has the highest PAR right now with an optional dimmer. So you'll be able to dial in not only the CO2, but also the intensity.

Current/Ecoxotic will be realising their high output plant LED soon. Might wanna wait for that.

The BML is definitely a stronger light but also considerably more expensive. Ray2 is 140 shipped and the BML would be around 229 + mount+dimmer.

If one Ray 2 would put me in the High light range not sure if I would need to spend the extra money... Is the BML that better of quality? I haven't heard many bad things about the Finnex fixtures.

Save

Brian_Cali77

· #5 · Apr 29, 2014

Yeah but a Ray 2 isn't as full spectrum as BML. The BML will allow for better coloration of your plants too. I ran Ray 2's for quite sometime, had 3 at one point, IMO it delivers a lot of PAR for the money but it's very disproportionately blue spectrum heavy. It made my tank look a bit washed out and drab. Red plants faded to green. I just wasn't as pleased. Great for iwagumi "green" tanks, but not so much for color. Plus, my other gripe was that since they're not dimmable, i had to either run really short photoperiod times or suspend the light to tame the light to reduce algae. With the Sat+ (x2) I'm running now, I have my photoperiod + my "dim" extended tank viewing times with little risk of algae.

Maybe you'll be at a little over 60 PAR directly under a single Ray 2 on your tank (maybe more depending substrate depth) with considerable drop off away, front and back. Might not get even coverage. BML you can order wider angle optics.

But if it must be Finnex, I'd rather get two Finnex Planted+ for better coverage and for the added red wavelength (if not BML, as my first choice).

I'm personally waiting for the Ecoxotic plant LED. It has RGB's like the Sat+ but way stronger like a BML... plus fully controllable and dimmable.

See less See more

Save

latchdan

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 29, 2014

Brian_Cali77 said:
Yeah but a Ray 2 isn't as full spectrum as BML. The BML will allow for better coloration of your plants too. I ran Ray 2's for quite sometime, had 3 at one point, IMO it delivers a lot of PAR for the money but it's very disproportionately blue spectrum heavy. It made my tank look a bit washed out and drab. Red plants faded to green. I just wasn't as pleased. Great for iwagumi "green" tanks, but not so much for color. Plus, my other gripe was that since they're not dimmable, i had to either run really short photoperiod times or suspend the light to tame the light to reduce algae. With the Sat+ (x2) I'm running now, I have my photoperiod + my "dim" extended tank viewing times with little risk of algae.

Maybe you'll be at a little over 60 PAR directly under a single Ray 2 on your tank (maybe more depending substrate depth) with considerable drop off away, front and back. Might not get even coverage. BML you can order wider angle optics.

But if it must be Finnex, I'd rather get two Finnex Planted+ for better coverage and for the added red wavelength (if not BML, as my first choice).

I'm personally waiting for the Ecoxotic plant LED. It has RGB's like the Sat+ but way stronger like a BML... plus fully controllable and dimmable.

Well thanks for the input, I will think of BML, I will have to consider what anglel I would need, not sure since I'm going to build my stand for the tank.

Seems that the 6300k dutch light seems most balance.
Which do you prefer?

Save

Brian_Cali77

· #7 · Apr 29, 2014

I think the Dutch spectrum is great for FW.

Save

latchdan

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 2, 2014

So I've been researching BML lights and I got a couple questions, not sure if I should ask here or just ask BML. If the tank is ~18 inches-3 for substrate, if i want the light around 10 inches above the tank, should I go with the 60 degree angle? or 75.

The web site suggest 60 for 12 inches above the tank I just want to make sure I get enough spread over the 18 inches of tank.

Obviously the plants in the front would need more light then the back. Should I situate the light more to the front then back then?

Save

Brian_Cali77

· #9 · May 2, 2014

Unless someone chimes in here with experience, I think you should contact BML. I hear their customer service is top notch in that regard. Also, it wouldn't hurt to repost your question in the BML Club here in TPT.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=481026

Save

latchdan

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 2, 2014

Brian_Cali77 said:
Unless someone chimes in here with experience, I think you should contact BML. I hear their customer service is top notch in that regard. Also, it wouldn't hurt to repost your question in the BML Club here in TPT.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=481026

I just sent a PM to BML, I'll re-post what they say.

Save

jrman83

· #11 · May 3, 2014

I personally think that no matter which company you go with you will need two for a more even spread. The BMLs only give 90 degree, Finnex 120. I have both types and if only want the best go with a BML. Cost is more but in the long run you will be happier. You possibly can raise a single BML and get better spread.

Sent with my Samsung S4 via Tapatalk

Save

latchdan

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 5, 2014

jrman83 said:
I personally think that no matter which company you go with you will need two for a more even spread. The BMLs only give 90 degree, Finnex 120. I have both types and if only want the best go with a BML. Cost is more but in the long run you will be happier. You possibly can raise a single BML and get better spread.

Sent with my Samsung S4 via Tapatalk

Yeah, I haven't heard anything from BML yet maybe they dont work weekends or something.

Save

latchdan

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 10, 2014

Well I can't get a hold of BML, been over a week and I suppose E-mail isn't very high priority. Anyone got a suggestion on what angle I should get for either 6 or 10 inches above the water for a 18 inch wide tank? I could go higher if it would mean better coverage over the tank.

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month