Lighting Question

[flash_oesc]

Looking for opinions/suggestions. I have a pentagon corner tank, and the lid/lights look like the image below. Currently it makes a clicking/ticking noise when it starts, and the light flickers and really stresses the current fish (tetras go white for about 5 minutes). The light is 18" long, and there are slots for 2 lights. I was looking swapping it out for an LED system, (beamswork, or marineland single bright) 18"LED. The issues are I'm hoping to have some plants at some point in this tank. It's about 24" deep, which I think would pose an even bigger issue with the LED lights. Also, the LED lights seem to be 5" wide, which is bigger then the slot the current ballast sits on, so some of the light would be shining directly on the top of the lid if I layed it across. Cost is playing a factor in this, as I just spent way too much money on livestock. Anyone else have a weird shaped tank that's deep, but not long? What do you use? etc etc etc...

[flash_oesc]

I may have answered my own questions. Would it be easiest to buy LED's (assuming they can grow plants?) and cut a new lid from a sheet of acrylic? That way I could put a longer light on the top?

[cainechow]

Yes LEDs will grow plants. What about a Finnex? Pretty good for the money.

[flash_oesc]

Wow! I've never heard of them, and they do seem quite reasonably priced. The FugeRay seem to be what I want (moonlight built in). Any experience with this model?

[jvision]

I love the FugeRay for just normal tank lighting and keeping the plants growing in a shallow tank. If you aren't planning on light-hungry plants in your tank, I think it'll be ideal.

[creekbottom]

If plants are going to be involved, considering the depth of this tank, wouldn't a Ray II be a better option? I know they don't come with moonlights but I think a fugeray would be too weak at the bottom of the tank.

[flash_oesc]

If plants are going to be involved, considering the depth of this tank, wouldn't a Ray II be a better option? I know they don't come with moonlights but I think a fugeray would be too weak at the bottom of the tank.

That's exactly what i was wondering with leds in general...

Whats the difference on the ray II? They have 3 listed.

[creekbottom]

For plants go with the DS, its dual 7000k spectrum. My understanding is that the RAY II is a more powerful light, more LED's pinched closer together than the fugeray.

[cainechow]

I the FugeRay also mentions 120 deg spread. I'm not sure if this means that they use different optics. Possibly the Ray II use a narrower optic?

[flash_oesc]

I the FugeRay also mentions 120 deg spread. I'm not sure if this means that they use different optics. Possibly the Ray II use a narrower optic?

My understanding on this, is the FugeRay emits light in a wider pattern?

[Nerve]

Check out the PAR data for the FugeRay and Ray 2 here if you haven't already.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=189944

[flash_oesc]

So 18" ray 2 has 21-28 par at 24"

20" fuge Ray has 11-13 par at 24"

So low light plants need 15-30 par? Is that correct?

[creekbottom]

Low light - 15-30 micromols of PAR - CO2 is not needed, but is helpful to the plants

Medium light - 35-50 micromols of PAR - CO2 may be needed to avoid too many nuisance algae problems

High light - more than 50 micromols of PAR - pressurized CO2 is essential to avoid major algae problems

What individual species PAR requirements are I have no idea.

[hobbyist]

I would not go with LED lights at this depth. Once you start getting growth in the upper regions of the tank there will br insufficient light at the bottom.