Lighting for 56g column

[cdwill]

Hi folks. I'm new to planted tanks and new to this site, which is fantastic.

I've recently been given a Marineland 56g column tank (30x18x24): http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland/Documents/Specialty Tank Specs.pdf

I'd like to do a heavily planted tank, including carpet plants. I'd be using pressurized CO2. My goals are to create healthy, full growth for a variety of plants, and once established, add appropriate livestock. I'd like to do a fairly high-tech setup and avoid DIY as I'm not handy whatsoever.

I realize that this tank style is very deep, and so lighting intensity and coverage are a bigger challenge than they might be with another tank style. I'm still working on understanding lighting concepts for planted tanks, like full spectrum lighting, PAR, etc.

The 56g was provided with a single bulb Perfecto stock fixture, which I don't think will generate enough light coverage or intensity, even if I swap out the stock bulb (a T8). I can't do a rimless or pendant/hanging-style setup, and I'd prefer to have the hood(s) sit on top of the canopy, rather than using mounting legs, to avoid light leakage into the room. This tank's rim has a center brace and two glass canopies that rest on either side of it.

Questions:
1) Can you recommend a full lighting setup for this tank? I'd prefer to avoid a custom setup if possible.
2) Would any of the Marineland LED fixtures work with this tank? http://www.marineland.com/sites/marineland/products/categories.aspx?id=2054&cid=5523&mid=5528

Any help you can provide is much appreciated.

Thanks

cdwill

 

[pepetj]

I own four of those tanks but only one is actually set up (I intend to set the other ones up once I move in a couple of months). It's a heavily planted Red Discus tank (officially it's my wife's but I do the maintenance).

I had to go with two 24W T5HO lamps (one at 4,000K the other at 18,000K) since no 30" lamp assembly was available locally; otherwise I would have gone with two 31WT5HO lamps.

For moonlight I have Marineland's Double Brigth LED fixture for 24" to 36". I only use the blue LEDs since the white ones actually look kind of yellowish. I build a DIY tank cover with an eggcrate (ceiling lamp diffuser).

My tank is still new so plants are adapting there. I have pressurized CO2 with a DIY venturi internal reactor.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

[cdwill]

Thanks Peptj. Do you think that this fixture is appropriate, or is it overkill?: http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1414

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

Overkill But using the 2 outer bulbs only would work. I doubt you would ever need/want more than 2 bulbs....

Since Pepetj has these tanks, I defer to his personal experience.

However, the depth of your tank is not as big a hurdle as you may think.

Using 2 t5ho should provide plenty of light. Just watch the spread as the tank is configured differently.

Your choice of c02 diffusion will play more of a role than your light in terms of getting it correct and optimal. Lights are set and forget for the most part. Not so with c02 as it can change rapidly over time and space.

How DO you plan on introducing c02?

PAR is simply a unit of measurement that is applicable to ALL electrical light fixtures and types. MH, T5, T8, LED, etc. You need a PAR meter to measure this value however.

Light intensity is what drives demand for c02 and other nutrients so the more light, the more demand. Using less light induces less demand which is easier somewhat to supply. I am mostly taking c02 here, as using EI will ensure not macro/micro deficiencies. Remember that a plant is mostly carbon, so take it from there..........

 

[cdwill]

Thanks Gerryd. I'll look for a 2 bulb T5 HO 30" fixture. If you're aware of a good one, please post it!

How DO you plan on introducing c02?

I'd like to use pressurized CO2, and was eyeing Green Leaf Aquariums' 'Primo' complete system. I'd want to run an in-line diffuser -- possibly the AquaMedics 1000 -- but I'm still researching that aspect. I think I'm better off with a preassembled complete system vs. constructing my own (which I know is cheaper) because I really am not a handy guy. I would like to save $ where possible, however.

 

[cdwill]

Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this fixture?: http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1413

It's a 30" T5 HO 2x24W. I'm concerned about the light spread at the bottom of the tank, as Gerryd mentioned. Do you think that this fixture is likely to create uneven light/gaps in light at the bottom? I'd prefer to have it lie on the top glass, rather than suspending it.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

I am concerned about OVERALL spread, not just light getting to the bottom...

That is a nice fixture. I wonder if you would be better off with 2 single bulb fixtures? That way they can be arranged more easily..

I use two 4 bulb fixtures on my 180 and is nice to keep them separated by some space to really spread as I have 24" front to back.

Both can still be laid across the tank top.

Would that work for you?

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

What about any on this page?

http://www.marineandreef.com/Coralife_30_T5_Aqualight_Nova_30_inch_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_s/338.htm

or these for T8 I think and is what I have except for the 72" length lol:

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3803

 

[cdwill]

I wonder if you would be better off with 2 single bulb fixtures?

It sounds like I might, from a positioning standpoint. I just realized that the rim's center brace runs front to back and seems like it's going to block light down the center of the tank. I'm not sure if that should be a concern or not.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Coralife_30_T5_Aqualight_Nova_30_inch_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_s/338.htm

These all look like dual bulb fixtures. Most of them have mounting legs, which I'm trying to avoid (unless they can be removed and the fixture can lie flat).

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3803

This is what came with the tank, but I was under the impression that T8s won't provide enough light to grow high-light plants, especially at a 24" depth -- or am I mistaken?

These also have a 5200K rating, but I was under the impression that 6500-6700K was ideal.