Lighting Question need replys

CCLAXX · 09/01/2011, 09:10 PM

I was thinking about getting 36" lighting for my 55g and suspending it over it .... is it to short or will it work.. its going to be a FOWLR

evsalty · 09/01/2011, 09:16 PM

It depends on what type of lighting it is. So what type of fixture and type of lighting is it? More times then not you will be able to get more coverage by raising a light but at the cost of par at the lower depths of the tank.

CCLAXX · 09/01/2011, 09:25 PM

its a marineland double bright led system

evsalty · 09/02/2011, 01:36 AM

I have not seen or heard any spread or coverage claims/facts about that particular light as it is very new to the market and not too commonly used yet. For fowlr it won't really matter too much if the outside 4 or so inches is darker then the main part of the tank though.

TheFishTeen · 09/02/2011, 01:48 AM

The MDB Fixture uses 1W LED's, which have a poor depth penetration rate unless kept under a 40 Degree or less focus lens. I would call marineland. You tank is 48" long correct?

CCLAXX · 09/02/2011, 12:36 PM

Yes I just don't want to spend a fortune on lights.... And I liked the idea of the lights suspended over the tank

evsalty · 09/03/2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFishTeen

The MDB Fixture uses 1W LED's, which have a poor depth penetration rate unless kept under a 40 Degree or less focus lens. I would call marineland. You tank is 48" long correct?

This tank is a fish only tank so the lack of penetration is of no concern for the OP.

CCLAXX · 09/03/2011, 03:46 PM

Okay so the bottom of the tank will still be lit but just not super bright ?

evsalty · 09/03/2011, 03:57 PM

Like I stated above I have zero experience or knowledge of this lights output BUT your tank is only 55g so that is only 19" to the bottom glass and then you have to take away the height of the sand. I would almost bet that it will hit the sand. Would I recommend corals absolutely not but for FO no problem.

CCLAXX · 09/03/2011, 04:34 PM

yea i dont plan on corals

grigsy · 09/04/2011, 08:05 PM

You won't need that much light for a FOWLR tank. You should be fine with most 3 ft lights suspending above a 55 gallon tank. You may want to ask people though who have that same Marine Land fixture what their thoughts are on "light spred". A lot of LED light systems dont cast much spred.

If that light doesnt work, there are other T5 fixtures that will work just fine for a FOWLR tank. Some LFS stock a Current NOVA system. Those dont cost much $$$ and will give you plenty of light spred.

09/01/2011, 09:10 PM	#1
CCLAXX Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alexandria , VA Posts: 200	Lighting Question need replys I was thinking about getting 36" lighting for my 55g and suspending it over it .... is it to short or will it work.. its going to be a FOWLR

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09/01/2011, 09:16 PM	#2
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	It depends on what type of lighting it is. So what type of fixture and type of lighting is it? More times then not you will be able to get more coverage by raising a light but at the cost of par at the lower depths of the tank.

09/01/2011, 09:25 PM	#3
CCLAXX Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alexandria , VA Posts: 200	its a marineland double bright led system

09/02/2011, 01:36 AM	#4
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	I have not seen or heard any spread or coverage claims/facts about that particular light as it is very new to the market and not too commonly used yet. For fowlr it won't really matter too much if the outside 4 or so inches is darker then the main part of the tank though.

09/02/2011, 01:48 AM	#5
TheFishTeen Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,677	The MDB Fixture uses 1W LED's, which have a poor depth penetration rate unless kept under a 40 Degree or less focus lens. I would call marineland. You tank is 48" long correct?

09/02/2011, 12:36 PM	#6
CCLAXX Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alexandria , VA Posts: 200	Yes I just don't want to spend a fortune on lights.... And I liked the idea of the lights suspended over the tank

09/03/2011, 03:46 PM	#8
CCLAXX Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alexandria , VA Posts: 200	Okay so the bottom of the tank will still be lit but just not super bright ?

09/03/2011, 03:57 PM	#9
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	Like I stated above I have zero experience or knowledge of this lights output BUT your tank is only 55g so that is only 19" to the bottom glass and then you have to take away the height of the sand. I would almost bet that it will hit the sand. Would I recommend corals absolutely not but for FO no problem.

09/03/2011, 04:34 PM	#10
CCLAXX Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alexandria , VA Posts: 200	yea i dont plan on corals

09/04/2011, 08:05 PM	#11
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	You won't need that much light for a FOWLR tank. You should be fine with most 3 ft lights suspending above a 55 gallon tank. You may want to ask people though who have that same Marine Land fixture what their thoughts are on "light spred". A lot of LED light systems dont cast much spred. If that light doesnt work, there are other T5 fixtures that will work just fine for a FOWLR tank. Some LFS stock a Current NOVA system. Those dont cost much $$$ and will give you plenty of light spred.