Just ordered new lights! :D

On my 102 gallon tank that is 7 feet long I have been slowely completing the tank..
I have all sorts of nice equipment in my tank and plenty of beautiful and exotic fish.
I also just ordered me two brand new lights to go with all the planting I'm planning on doing.

Items Ordered:
Odyssea 36" 78W T5 HO Light Fixture Extendable Series (FW/ Plant) $45.90
Odyssea 48" 108W T5 HO Light Fixture Extendable Series (FW/ Plant) $59.90

These are the same brand as my Canister Filter I got on Christmas, and they have received great reviews.

I picked 3-5 day shipping for another $13. As soon as I get them I will begin heavily planting my tank.

 

Congratulations, you got a good deal there! Once your lights are in place upload some pics for us here

If that tank were mine, considering its low height, I would consider using only one tube per lamp, removing the unused lamp and store it safely. That way you have pretty good lighting for planted tank and replacement tubes to go for three years (even if you go with pressurized CO2) while keeping algae at minimum (contrary to spread belief, too much light elicits algae growth).

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

Well I was going to go for medium to high light requirement plants probably and I know those are above 1 WPG close to 2-3 WPG.

Heavily planted, 2 Plecos, 1 CAE, and Fleets of Snails should also keep it at bay?

 

You'll be at 4+WPG if you use all the tubes: 2x(78+108) = 372. How many gallons of water is your tank really holding? likely 80gal? if so we're talking of 4.65WPG.

Plants-wise if you aI'm and get 30ppm+ of dissolved CO2 and provide fertilization then you should be able to gradually adjust to balance things out. It's easier to go with less light so the uptake needs of the plants remain reasonably met with a comfortable dosing routine.

Some of your fish I'm actually concerned about. Discus fish will be really uncomfortable with that much light. Common Plecos will likely harm your other fish as they grow big. Did you get rid of the Pangasius? Look at this pic of one adult specimen (taken from this site: ).

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

Haha miss understanding on the Watts, its a total of 108 and 78 watts per fixture.
My tank is probably holding closer to 80-90 gallons.

I don't have common Plecos, the two plecos I have get to about 5-6" total each, a lot smaller than other fish.

The Catfish I have is only 4" and I will be trying to rid soon.

 

I have one of those fixtures for my 55 planted is an 108watts is low light. I just emailed aquatraders because I need a fixture that they have currently out of stock to see if they will be carrying it again and about why their power compact don't come in 24".

 

Haha I bought the last 36" T5HO they had, I just called to make sure because after I purchased I saw a (Sold Out) sign and they said I bought the last one so I am safe.



So I will have a total of 108+78=186 watts of at 100 gallons 1.86WPG.

 

Haha miss understanding on the Watts, its a total of 108 and 78 watts per fixture.
My tank is probably holding closer to 80-90 gallons.

I don't have common Plecos, the two plecos I have get to about 5-6" total each, a lot smaller than other fish.

The Catfish I have is only 4" and I will be trying to rid soon.

I multiply by two to make the WPG equivalent to T8 NO. A 54W T5HO should be computed as 108W T8... so even though your lamps will consume 186W the light they will put is the close to twice that as T8.

If we are going to use the WPG guideline we must multiply whatever T5HO wattage by two. If you go with T5NO then use the 1.5 factor.

Hope this helps

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

 

Oh! I see, this does help. Thanks a lot. I will still go with all four bulbs for now to see how it works, if to much I will cut back. I plan on really heavily planting the tank.

I will receive my bulbs Tuesday and am super excited. I will finally have a well lit tank besides just half of it being lit by low light, ill be able to take great pictures now, ill post when I can.

 

I got my lights today, and have them set up now, I only have about 3' of my tank planted so I put the 4' section over the plants and removed one bulb and then the 3' section of coarse at the other end of the tank with both bulbs. pics tonight.