adding another finnex planted plus 24/7

[Tifta]

I have a 55 gallon tank with a 48 in finnex planted plus 24/7 light. I am wanting to house some high lighted plants. I have pressurized co2 and dosing EI Method.. I am wanting to add another 24/7 or another light. You think 2 would be overkill? Or is there another finnex I could add along with the 24/7? I would love some feedback.

 

[Fresh2o]

I don't think it would be overkill. It is about 20" tall. I run a Finnex Planted+ over a 20g long (12" tall) and I add a few CFLs along the back to bump up the lighting. Not only increased intensity, you will get a better light spread along the bottom of the tank.
I think PoppaRhyno has a pair of 24/7s over his tank.


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[Brookster123]

Should be quite manageable.. if you want the dos leds? Get dos leds... they're dimmable

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[Tifta]

I don't think it would be overkill. It is about 20" tall. I run a Finnex Planted+ over a 20g long (12" tall) and I add a few CFLs along the back to bump up the lighting. Not only increased intensity, you will get a better light spread along the bottom of the tank.
I think PoppaRhyno has a pair of 24/7s over his tank.


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It's a 20" tall... I'm trying to find a cheaper alternative then adding another 24/7.. Would CFLs be enough to bump up par?

 

[Fresh2o]

You could just start off with the single 24/7 and see how the plants you've selected do with it (assuming optimal CO2 and ferts).
Regarding CFLs, I am not familiar with light penetration at 20". It's great at 12". You could start with one or two 26w 6500k bulbs in the 8.5" domes. That should cost around $30-40 or less depending on where you get them.
If the single 24/7 and pair of CFLs provide the results you are looking for then you can add 1-2 more to complete the setup. If not, then you are not out a lot of money.


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[Tifta]

You could just start off with the single 24/7 and see how the plants you've selected do with it (assuming optimal CO2 and ferts).
Regarding CFLs, I am not familiar with light penetration at 20". It's great at 12". You could start with one or two 26w 6500k bulbs in the 8.5" domes. That should cost around $30-40 or less depending on where you get them.
If the single 24/7 and pair of CFLs provide the results you are looking for then you can add 1-2 more to complete the setup. If not, then you are not out a lot of money.


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Thanks for the advice. I think I'll stick with the 24/7 for now and see how the plants do. I might just save up and put another finnex on.

I was looking at the finnex fugeray planted plus, but I couldn't seem to find the par on a 48". Would those two bump me up to high light?

 

[Brookster123]

The planted plus is pushing about the same par as the 24 7.. 247 has rgb's which plants do like. 2 of either would put you into solid medium light, you can do a lot with that.. high light is overrated, to many variables, starts taking fun away from the hobby imo.

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[Fresh2o]

I saw a PAR chart for the planted+ somewhere but not sure if included data for the 48". Also, adding multiple fixtures does not necessarily mean getting the sum of PAR values (example: fixture A has 61 PAR and fixture B has 45 PAR so the sum is 106 PAR). That's more of a ballpark number. But I think 2x 24/7 will get into high light and if not, the upper end of medium. The big upside is that they are adjustable. I would take a 24/7 over the planted+.


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