Appropriate Light for 180 Planted Tank

[jonathan11]

Hey guys,
Hoping for some advice. I'm about to launch (finally!!!!!) my 180 gallon tank. But I do have a question concerning lighting. I presently plan to use 2 each 250 watt MH 6700K fixtures, with 2 each 96watt CFs, at 6700K, giving me a total wattage of 700 watts. The dimensions of the tank are 6' x 2' x2', and it is CO2 injected. It has been mentioned I might have a bit too much light. I'm wondering, from those who have been down the path before me, what would be a good amount of total light wattage,using CFs, should I use for this tank? I would like to get enough light in the tank to grow most anything I want, from say a ground cover of cuba, glosso, or helferi, to swords or crypts in the background. Excess light might aid in producing algae, too little and the plants might not grow properly. Any comments would be appreciated.
As always, thx in advance.

Walter:

 

[Tom Barr]

It's too much light IME/IMO.

I use 4x 96w on my 180........I can grow anything I chose well in there.

I'll be switching to LED's. We have a guy that will make custom LED fixtures for planted tanks also with any type of arrangement you want. Likely cost less than the fixture you are planning on buying and would use about 1/2 the energy.

 

[dutchy]

I use only 260 Watts of T5 on my 180, and I don't even use reflectors. I can grow every plant I want, even a dense carpet of Glosso. With the light you want to use you'll be sure you can grow something very well: algae.

 

[Gerryd]

It has been mentioned I might have a bit too much light. I'm wondering, from those who have been down the path before me, what would be a good amount of total light wattage

Hi,

If you need more than Tom and dutchy's words.....I have also been down this path....

This thread may prove useful. The first paragraph has all you need to know about your proposed lighting scenario

Careful though as it contains actual DATA elements using tools such as a measuring tape and Apogee PAR meter....lol I didn't guess how much light I had... I used to all the time. A PAR meter was one of the best investments I ever made other than the tank itself Dollar for dollar it is hard to beat. Esp as I like to swap lighting and experiment with different things...and have multiple tanks.

http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/8257-Lower-Light-Levels-100-days-later?highlight=micromoles

 

[tjbuege]

This thread may prove useful. The first paragraph has all you need to know about your proposed lighting scenario

Pardon my jumping in here, but Gerry, that thread IS useful! I can attest to higher light resulting in algae struggles, high plant maintenance, CO2 struggles... I think I still have too much light in my tanks, and will be looking for ways to reduce it. Might be time to find a PAR meter...

 

[Charles Crews]

I use only 260 Watts of T5 on my 180, and I don't even use reflectors. I can grow every plant I want, even a dense carpet of Glosso. With the light you want to use you'll be sure you can grow something very well: algae.

Dutchy I was trying to do the division to figure out what combo of T-5's you have because I am thinking about switching from my PC's. I couldn't figure it out, are you running 60" bulbs? I am thinking about doing 4- 60" bulbs over my 140, do you have any opinion on how much better they would perform compared to similar wattage from PC's?

 

[dutchy]

I'm using 4 rows of 2 bulbs each, a 39 Watt and a 24 Watt, so 63 Watts per row with a white painted canopy, no reflectors. 4 rows of T5 might be good or not, depending on depth and height. I estimate your tank is 20" x 20", basically 3 rows would be enough, or even just two when using an optimal fixture with high PAR (daylight) bulbs and reflectors.

PC's don't put out that much PAR, might be up to 50% less compared to T5's.

 

[Charles Crews]

I'm using 4 rows of 2 bulbs each, a 39 Watt and a 24 Watt, so 63 Watts per row with a white painted canopy, no reflectors. 4 rows of T5 might be good or not, depending on depth and height. I estimate your tank is 20" x 20", basically 3 rows would be enough, or even just two when using an optimal fixture with high PAR (daylight) bulbs and reflectors.

PC's don't put out that much PAR, might be up to 50% less compared to T5's.

My tank is roughly 63" x 22" x 22", my PC's don't seem to really be cutting it. I have MH and had good growth but they were loud and hot so I pulled them off. I was thinking about buying this:

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_LET_Lighting

I know it might be a bit too much light but I dont have to run all the bulbs, and its always nice to have some backup stuff if a bulb or ballast goes out. Puts me pretty close to where your light levels are except I have 40 less gallons and reflectors, so I would def have to turn it down a bit. Does anyone have anyone have any experience with these particular lights?

I also thought that was a pretty mega price considering it comes with bulbs (and you get to select the bulbs you want, good brands as well).

 

[Tom Barr]

Plenty of light, but you might want something you can adjust up/down to increase/decrease the PAR.
60" T5 lights would be a perfect fit.
Espsecially if you could use an open top and/or a dimmer ballast(another 70-80$) and some manual controller.

If it's a retro fit, you might be able to space each bulb equal distance apart, so about 5" apart

 

[Charles Crews]

Plenty of light, but you might want something you can adjust up/down to increase/decrease the PAR.
60" T5 lights would be a perfect fit.
Espsecially if you could use an open top and/or a dimmer ballast(another 70-80$) and some manual controller.

If it's a retro fit, you might be able to space each bulb equal distance apart, so about 5" apart

Well thats the issue I keep having... the tank has a very pretty stand/canopy (canopy doesn't come off) and its very close to the water. The lid on the canopy sits about 6" away from the the water, I can mount the lights anywhere I would like on the X-Y plane but raising or lowering the lights (Z plane) is very difficult. The tank is in my living room and really dont want a bunch of stuff hanging from it. I have looked at some dimmable controllers for it and might do that. Do you have any suggestions on what route to go there?