Lighting a 75

Lighting, filtration etc
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RTRJR
Posts: 558
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 6:23 am
Location: MD exurbs

Post by RTRJR »

Being in the low-light fringe myself, I have no issues at all with 4-5 NOs on a 75. That is what I have done (not up now) and it made a nice jungle. Six tubes was too much (even w/poor refectors), 4 was a bit thin (but might do with better reflectors than Perfecto's strips), 5 was Baby Bear's porridge for me.

I don't like (personal choice) all lights coming on at once. I do stagger multi-tubed tanks. I would kill if someone woke me by turning on all the bedroom lights, so I offer the same consideration to the fish.

Stem plants? What are they? The stuff in the veggie filter you harvest and compost?   <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley15.gif" border="0">
gnatster
Posts: 474
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 2:45 am
Location: United States

Post by gnatster »

Your fishing for comments and I’m bored, what a combo.

A. 160W on hand, and if I read this right there are no out of pocket expenses. Seems like a no brainer to me. But then again, what do you envision for the 75? Will 160W be enough to farm crypts? Will you be able to just say no when Ghazanfar taunts you with that oh so rare varietal that requires massive amounts of light?

B. Being the techo-geek that I self profess to be I’d go for it.

C. Yes or No

I’d imagine you have read the thread on figuring light requirements by lumens per unit of surface area. If memory serves me that was on Aquatic Plant Central. Have you checked out any of Dana Riddle’s articles on PAR or any of the graphs he formulated on spectral intensity in various horizontal and vertical tank locations by bulb/reflector type? How about Sanjay Yoshi’s work measuring spectral intensity of various bulb/ballast/reflector combos.

That should keep folks Goggle busy for a bit. Yeah I know the majority of the articles have a reef keepers slant, but the data is relevant.

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gnatster
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SCMurphy
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Real Name: Sean
Location: Maryland United States

Post by SCMurphy »

I rarely fish for comments on my stuff, I'd think that I'd get more responses when I do.   <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">

I have looked at those discussions as well as reviewed the discussion Ivo did once and Mr. Amano's in the English Aqualog mag. It really works down to what looks best to you and supplies the plants with enough proper light to grow. It's still fun to toss ideas around and get feedback,, or hope to get feedback.

I'll list the tanks I have so you can see where the 75 will fit in.

56 column tank with two 96 watt quad PC lights
three 30 gallon tanks each with a 96 watt biax PC
a 10 gallon with two 36 watt biax PC's
a 10 gallon with two 65 watt LOA fixtures (modified)

I have plenty of high light tanks to care for anything Ghazanfar can come up with. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">

I'm gonna go for it.

I have figured out that it would cost about $40 to buy two 4x34T8 electronic ballasts and 'improve' the spare shoplights I have to OD 4 40 watt T12's. I would not need the single bulb for a midday effect, but that wil be fun to wire in with everything else.

If I'm really good I can have it all wired and running before the May meeting. I just have to build two canopies, one rack for two 30 gallon tanks, wire the canopies, run the CO2, . . . I need to start my weekend yesterday.
<img border="0" src="smileys/smiley36.gif" border="0">
"したくさ" Sean

Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer.

If you've got bait, I've got wasabi!

I wish I could be like Mr. Sarcastic when I grow up! ;)
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Howard
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2003 9:08 pm
Location: Oak Harbor, WA

Post by Howard »

Sean I can get you several Electronic or Magnetic ballest 4's and 2's. the lamps i purchase at 48" twin T8s for $9 at home depot. LMK if you find any t8's above 5k in a descnet price range.
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