72 gal bowfront lighting - Aquarium Advice

jrc10000 · 04-27-2008, 09:08 AM

I need a lighting solution for a 72 gallon bowfront planted tank, it is fairly deep (24")-- any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John

rich311k · 04-27-2008, 10:57 AM

How much light are you shooting for? I would recommend T-5s they give great light and should penetrate pretty well.

neilanh · 04-27-2008, 01:21 PM

Welcome to the site.

I concur with the T5 lighting solution.

FishEggs · 04-27-2008, 01:26 PM

I second the second. t5 ho give the most light in the least space and the most options in light spectrums and arrangements. wish i had gone with t5s

neilanh · 04-27-2008, 01:28 PM

They're also really good for penetrating into the deeper tanks.

jrc10000 · 04-27-2008, 07:17 PM

Thanks for your replies-- I did a little research on T5-- I would be looking for how many watts? What is their advantage over power compact?
Many thanks
John

neilanh · 04-27-2008, 07:30 PM

Well, first off, what kind of tank are you wanting to do? Hi tech, hi light, which needs fertilizers and CO2, or a lower maintenance low or medium light setup? Heavily planted or lightly?

The advantages over PC are several. They run cooler, so less heat gets put into your tank. They're more efficient power wise. They penetrate deeper into the water column than PCs do.

jrc10000 · 04-27-2008, 10:37 PM

I will be doing co2, most likely off a reactor. Floradepot under gravel as a substrate. Fairly heavily planted-- Cardinals, rams, maybe four discus...

jrc10000 · 04-28-2008, 07:55 AM

I just found a t6 HO 48" 3x40w setup-- 2 x t6 and 1 x t8, I'm unfamiliar with t6. I also found a 4 x 54w T5 HO setup, but that seems like a lot of light for the fish--

neilanh · 04-28-2008, 08:34 AM

If it were me, I'd go T5 4x54. The light won't hurt the fish, and will give you good options for planting - but will require Co2 and fertilization with that much light.

04-27-2008, 09:08 AM	#1
jrc10000 Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	72 gal bowfront lighting I need a lighting solution for a 72 gallon bowfront planted tank, it is fairly deep (24")-- any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, John

04-27-2008, 01:21 PM	#3
neilanh MTS Advocate Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,787 Images: 15	Welcome to the site. I concur with the T5 lighting solution. __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

04-27-2008, 01:26 PM	#4
FishEggs Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Posts: 301	I second the second. t5 ho give the most light in the least space and the most options in light spectrums and arrangements. wish i had gone with t5s __________________ ~Matt~ If you put off what you can do today until tomorrow it will never get done cause tomorrow never comes. It's always today.

04-27-2008, 01:28 PM	#5
neilanh MTS Advocate Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,787 Images: 15	They're also really good for penetrating into the deeper tanks. __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

04-27-2008, 07:30 PM	#7
neilanh MTS Advocate Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,787 Images: 15	Well, first off, what kind of tank are you wanting to do? Hi tech, hi light, which needs fertilizers and CO2, or a lower maintenance low or medium light setup? Heavily planted or lightly? The advantages over PC are several. They run cooler, so less heat gets put into your tank. They're more efficient power wise. They penetrate deeper into the water column than PCs do. __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

04-27-2008, 10:57 AM	#2
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,804 Images: 35	How much light are you shooting for? I would recommend T-5s they give great light and should penetrate pretty well.

04-27-2008, 07:17 PM	#6
jrc10000 Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Thanks for your replies-- I did a little research on T5-- I would be looking for how many watts? What is their advantage over power compact? Many thanks John

04-27-2008, 10:37 PM	#8
jrc10000 Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	I will be doing co2, most likely off a reactor. Floradepot under gravel as a substrate. Fairly heavily planted-- Cardinals, rams, maybe four discus...

04-28-2008, 07:55 AM	#9
jrc10000 Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	I just found a t6 HO 48" 3x40w setup-- 2 x t6 and 1 x t8, I'm unfamiliar with t6. I also found a 4 x 54w T5 HO setup, but that seems like a lot of light for the fish--

04-28-2008, 08:34 AM	#10
neilanh MTS Advocate Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,787 Images: 15	If it were me, I'd go T5 4x54. The light won't hurt the fish, and will give you good options for planting - but will require Co2 and fertilization with that much light. __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

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