12 gallon long lighting options

[zach_1_6]

I'm considering starting up a 12 gallon long high tech tank, but I am stuck on which lighting will do the job without creating an algae farm. I like the Finnex models, however the ray 2 seems to put out a lot of light. Current USA Trulumen fixture also puts out quite a lot and in the middle are the Finnex Fuge ray and current USA satellite freshwater plus fixtures. Help please! I've been searching around but nothing on a shallow depth tank has come up

Satellite Freshwater LED+ | Current-USA

 

[Fresh2o]

Finnex has a fixture (maybe two) that are brighter than the FugeRay but less them the Ray2. I think it is called the Planted +.
Are either of the current USA models capable of dimming? That would be nice.

 

[zach_1_6]

I know the Satellite+ is dimmable and I believe you can buy something to be able to dim the Truelumen. The planted+ was the finnex one I was referring too. I am leaning on the side of the Satellite+ because it has some really cool features that come with the remote control, and it is so neat and tidy looks wise. I just don't know if it will be putting enough PAR down to grow thick carpets

 

[Mebbid]

If you want to grow high light carpeting plants the Finnex ray 2 is the way to go. Otherwise the planted + is a great option. CO2 might be a bit more of a necessity when using a ray 2 though due to the high par levels.

 

[zach_1_6]

I'm planning on using pressurized CO2, I'm just concerned the ray 2 is going to put down way too much light and cause algae issues. The ray 2 is 166 PAR @ 6" which to me seems like way over kill for a tank which is only 9.4" tall

 

[Mebbid]

Wow, I wasn't aware that that was such a short tank. The par levels read from the manufacturer is done through air rather than water so the actual par will be a bit lower. The Plant + would probably be just fine in your application then

 

[zach_1_6]

yea the tank is 36" x 8.3" x 9.4" haha so the plant+ would be sufficient to grow Blyxa Japonica, HC and maybe UG? CO2, dosing etc.

 

[Billbug68]

I have the sat + on my 12 long and I have to say, it is the perfect light for that tank. I ran the ray 2 a while ago and could only keep it on for 4 hours a day. Go with the sat+, you won't be sorry!

 

[zach_1_6]

I was looking at your build thread and I am very impressed! You think the satellite + could keep the plants I mentioned earlier?

 

[Billbug68]

I was looking at your build thread and I am very impressed! You think the satellite + could keep the plants I mentioned earlier?

Yeah, you don't need a ridiculous amount of light to grow plants like most people think. As long as your co2 levels are good, you'd be fine with 30-40 par. I've grown blyxa under the sat+, and I'm currently growing out an HC carpet under it. I can't complain, plus, all the cool features it has, the ability to add their ramp timers, etc., the sat+ is the beezneez...

 

[zach_1_6]

perfect thank you, I do like all of the features the current has and for me that was the real feature that stood out.

 

[Billbug68]

perfect thank you, I do like all of the features the current has and for me that was the real feature that stood out.

No problem. Glad I could share my experience.