Opinions on lighting a 75

[Zimmanski]

These are all great arguing points and than you all for bringing them up. I do think that the energy savings and cost of replacement bulbs on the t5ho fixture could be argued a little more though, at least in my specific situation anyway, not that Jetta didn't make great points. On my tank I'm hoping to increase the lighting so we're not comparing one single t5 to one LED were comparing two of each so the energy savings alone doubles, now if I were to replace my t5ho bulbs every six months like I'm supposed to ($27 for geismanns at the LFS) one complete bulb change pays for the finnex fixture by itself. I am going to hold on to my t5 though for a bit, I've actually rethought my big purchase and I'll just be starting by getting the ray2 and see what it looks like with the t5, rather than dropping $300 all in one order. I am getting excited though, just a couple more days until its here!

 

[Zimmanski]

So here's an update, I'm glad I didn't go ahead and buy the monster ray, I'm sure its great but today I got in my ray 2 and looking at the t5ho and ray 2 together I don't think I would be happy with anything less bright. If I do switch out the t5 it will be for another ray 2 or something similarly powered. I'm happy with my purchase so far and the plants started pearling really well about 10 minutes after I turned it on. The real test will be seeing what kind of results in plant growth I get in the future. Here's some pictures first is dual t5ho, second is ray 2, third is both. With my untrained eye I would say that the ray 2 is at least as good as a second t5ho fixture and together better than a 4 bulb t5ho. When they're both on its much brighter in person than in the pictures too I think

 

[Zimmanski]

Some good pictures of the pearling

 

[Tobykourtney]

So here's an update, I'm glad I didn't go ahead and buy the monster ray, I'm sure its great but today I got in my ray 2 and looking at the t5ho and ray 2 together I don't think I would be happy with anything less bright. If I do switch out the t5 it will be for another ray 2 or something similarly powered. I'm happy with my purchase so far and the plants started pearling really well about 10 minutes after I turned it on. The real test will be seeing what kind of results in plant growth I get in the future. Here's some pictures first is dual t5ho, second is ray 2, third is both. With my untrained eye I would say that the ray 2 is at least as good as a second t5ho fixture and together better than a 4 bulb t5ho. When they're both on its much brighter in person than in the pictures too I think

I don't know what the coralife fixture is putting out par wise but its probably about the same as my aquaticlife dual t5HO that I just started using with my finnex ray 2 and it is freaking bright. According to the finnex and aquaticlife par readings its about 90 par at the substrate.

 

[Zimmanski]

I don't know what the coralife fixture is putting out par wise but its probably about the same as my aquaticlife dual t5HO that I just started using with my finnex ray 2 and it is freaking bright. According to the finnex and aquaticlife par readings its about 90 par at the substrate.

Thanks for the info! I think aquaticlife has much better reflectors but I'm probably pretty close, I think I might finally be breaking into the higher light range I was hoping for

 

[Tobykourtney]

Thanks for the info! I think aquaticlife has much better reflectors but I'm probably pretty close, I think I might finally be breaking into the higher light range I was hoping for

Yea well into high light lol. How long is your photoperiod?

 

[Coel]

Looks good

 

[Zimmanski]

Looks good

Thank you!

Yea well into high light lol. How long is your photoperiod?

Good to hear! I really need to pick up a timer, probably will on Friday, but for now its on from 7 to 5 because that's when I'm at work. I have the ray2+t5ho combo on my 36 gallon and I have that timer set for two 4.5 hour on cycles and seems to work okay

 

[Tobykourtney]

Thank you!

Good to hear! I really need to pick up a timer, probably will on Friday, but for now its on from 7 to 5 because that's when I'm at work. I have the ray2+t5ho combo on my 36 gallon and I have that timer set for two 4.5 hour on cycles and seems to work okay

Mines on for 8 hours. I had to crank my co2 up to what is probably around 8-9 bps. Surprisingly my 20 oz paintball cylinder is going strong after 16 days.

 

[Zimmanski]

Mines on for 8 hours. I had to crank my co2 up to what is probably around 8-9 bps. Surprisingly my 20 oz paintball cylinder is going strong after 16 days.

Man that's crazy, how are you diffusing it? My tank is probably at 3bps or so through an inline atomizer, but I have a 10lb tank. Its lasted 2 months and counting, well worth the money spent on it

 

[Tobykourtney]

Man that's crazy, how are you diffusing it? My tank is probably at 3bps or so through an inline atomizer, but I have a 10lb tank. Its lasted 2 months and counting, well worth the money spent on it

I have a diy reactor with a spraybar attached at the bottom. I'm only using 20 psi through the regulator which probably has a lot to do with it plus my drop checker is lime green to yellow usually.i also have to use an aerator at night to keep my fish from suffocating so all the co2 is expelled at night.