How much PAR ?

[fireman731]

So I'm setting up a 55 gal tank that's 48x13x18. I figured with 3 inches of substrate or so it would be about 15" deep. I don't want to go with c02. How much PAR at the substrate would be "too much" for a non c02 set up? I'm just keeping things like Java fern Amazon swords anibias nana tiger lotus water wisteria and rotala. I would like a little room to branch out with out plants possibly but I don't wanna be burning my tank or causing algae blooms, but I supposed I could just lessen and split the photo periods either way? I was looking at LED but anything that has lunar and is programmable with a timer to do dawn and dusk on its own is about 300 bucks, so I was looking at doing t5. The 55 has the big center brace with two separate versa tops 24" on it so I was thinking of doing two dual t5s instead of 1 long 48" but I'm not sure that's going to give me the look im trying to achieve.


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[dcutl002]

So I'm setting up a 55 gal tank that's 48x13x18. I figured with 3 inches of substrate or so it would be about 15" deep. I don't want to go with c02. How much PAR at the substrate would be "too much" for a non c02 set up? I'm just keeping things like Java fern Amazon swords anibias nana tiger lotus water wisteria and rotala. I would like a little room to branch out with out plants possibly but I don't wanna be burning my tank or causing algae blooms, but I supposed I could just lessen and split the photo periods either way? I was looking at LED but anything that has lunar and is programmable with a timer to do dawn and dusk on its own is about 300 bucks, so I was looking at doing t5. The 55 has the big center brace with two separate versa tops 24" on it so I was thinking of doing two dual t5s instead of 1 long 48" but I'm not sure that's going to give me the look im trying to achieve.


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Here is an excellent light: Amazon.com : Aquatic Life Light T5 HO 2-Lamp Link Fresh Aquarium Light, 48-Inch : Pet Supplies

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

You should go with less than 30 PAR at substrate for your goals. A 48" Current Satellite LED+ with a Current Single Ramp Timer would be perfect.

Here's a good thread on PAR values of that unit.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=379417

 

[fireman731]

Yah I saw that, it's disappointing that the timer only turns the light on and off and that it won't program the other cool functions like sun rise and sun set. I found a aquatic life edge led that has a built in timer that operates the sun rise and set and lunar lights with decent par and it's about 160 for the 48"


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[Brian_Nano12g]

Do you have a link to that light?

The Sat+ does a gradual sunrise and sunset with the separate ramp timer added. But it won't automatically turn on the moonlight.

 

[fireman731]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=28127


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[fireman731]

http://youtu.be/dli3nyALiMQ


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[fireman731]

And supposedly at 12" it has 95-105 par and at 18 " it's 55-65.


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[Brian_Nano12g]

Sounds like a pretty good light. I haven't seen any reviews or build threads with it yet. On paper, it sounds promising. If you get it, you should do a build thread and review so others can benefit from knowing if it's good or not. Anyways, at least aquaticlife is known for solid performing T5HO fixtures.

 

[fireman731]

Will do


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[Brookster123]

Def. Looks good on paper, don't see why this light won't grow some nice plants for you. A build thread is needed here!

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[fireman731]

By the way I did contact current and by the end of the year they are supposed to be releasing a satellite led + pro, basically the same thing but with a build in timer.


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[Brookster123]

By the way I did contact current and by the end of the year they are supposed to be releasing a satellite led + pro, basically the same thing but with a build in timer.


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That's pretty sweet, I want something that can do split photo periods though. Atleast multi ramp settings..

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[dcutl002]

Don't forget Ecoxotic. That's Current-LED's sister company.


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