151Watts PC enough for a 92g?

beviking

beviking

Senior Member, Sophomoric Attitude
Feb 16, 2002
2,550
0
36
56
Syracuse, NY
Well, the kind folks at AHSupply hit me with a quandry. I intended to go with 3 55W kits over a 92gal corner tank (1/4 cylinder shape) in such a way that they would meet at the back corner and fan out to cover the tank. AH thought that since the bulbs are essentially perpendicular to the front of the tank, I would see "band of light", at least in the top part of the water column. I am certainly NOT discrediting this idea and in fact, had thought it possible, but plan on having the lights 5" or so off the top of the tank to hopefully avoid "the bans".
What AH suggested was to go with a 96W and a 55W aligned parallel to the front to avoid this. I could add a 13W behind them to keep the total wattage at 164W.

I just wanted some opinions (hopefully from PC users but all are welcome!) on this. Again, I certainly trust AH, but believe the more info the better.

I know this sounds like a DIY forum question, but it's the wattage for plants (like Alternanthera reineckii, Heteranthera zosterifolia, glosso, swords not bleheri, E.tenellus, and the like) that I'm concerned about.
For any that need a visual, the tank is a quarter circle with a 34.25" radius.

Thanks!
 
Swords will be alright but the Alternanthera will have a hard time....not sure about the others
 
Are they going to be enclosed? 5" is pretty high and would probably cause a lot of glare.
Can you run any of the lights on your other tank perpendicular, or at least on an angle, to experiment with light patterns on the surface? I think surface bands is what Kim is probably talking about.
How deep, top to bottom is the tank?

Len
 
Yes, it will be an enclosed hood with a white interior.

Well, I currently use ODNO lighting in a hood I built (the one in question will be the same, just different shape). Since the tank is a rectangle, I can look in from the ends and not see any bands. I have seen bands when I had a green water attack, and stirred up some particulates. Did I just answer my own question... :thud: ?

Yes, Kim was talking about surface bands.
The tank is 24" deep.

I know I asked a while back about 3 55W PC being sufficient for this tank, and I apologize for being somewhat redundant. I just don't know PC lighting...yet! :)

Now I'm thinking I should go with 2 55's and a 96W.
 
Last edited:
O.k., now what about heat? Two 55's and a 96 in an enclosed wooden hood.
I plan on having one fan, should I go with two?

Thanks again!
 
I've been setting up a 29g for an arrowhead puffer but the only spare light I have is a 55watt 24 inch CF. Here's what it looks like on the tank. You can see the band quite easy, especially on a photo, but I kind of like the effect on the bolbitis. I think AH Supply have a valid point in recommending the lights aligned parallel so I reckon your 55s and 96 will look fine.

arrowhead.jpg


I would go with two fans at the very minimum. Preferably three or four depending on size.
 
Last edited:
The best alternative, IMO, is the dual 55 + 96watt combo, for the versatility it will give you when considering plants.
I must tell you that you are absolutely correct with regard to your concern with heat.
A fan will be a necessary item year 'round, but especially in summer.
I hate air conditioning, but use it when the humidity gets ridiculous in the summer. Without it running, on 85° days my tank with dual 55s can reach 85 - 90°. This does affect the fish and also many of the plants. I will be putting a ceiling fan in next spring to try and alleviate the situation somewhat, but I know it's an up hill battle with that much light over an enclosed area.
If you're the wimpy type :) that runs their air 24/7 all summer, you are ahead of the game when it comes to water temp., but I would still recommend a fan of some type, and open the top of that box up when you build it, as much as possible to allow top venting of heat. My boxes are very open and I lose a very minute amount of light out of the top.
'I plan on having one fan, should I go with two?' - If you can fit two in there with a dual 55 + 96, I would go in that direction.


Len
 
Thank you all for the replies!!!

And for the record, it's my wife that likes the air conditioning on 24/7! I'm a man, I can take extremes! Now where is my sweater and fuzzy bunny slippers!?! :rolleyes:
 
Sure...I've decided on the 2-55s and 1-96. That was simple.
I'm using ash for the stand (bent pcs of wood formed up in my basement already) and am currently working on the hood. Against Kims advice, I'm constructing the hood before I have the lights, but this will all be posted in DIY later.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom