How do you light your 60" tanks?

[Joana333]

From what you've described, I'd probably stick with the two-light approach rather than trying to find a single fixture that covers the whole 60". I've had much better luck getting even coverage that way, especially on tanks that are 24" front to back.

If you're leaning toward the Fluval 3.0, two 48" units overlapping a bit in the middle is a solid setup. The overlap sounds like it worked well on your other tank, and with a low-tech planted setup you can always dial the intensity back if needed. It's usually easier to reduce light than to wish you had more.

One thing I'd pay attention to is front-to-back coverage rather than just length. On deeper tanks, even if the PAR is enough, plants near the front glass can end up shaded if the fixture is mounted too far back. Taking a little time to position the lights before filling the tank can make a noticeable difference.

Since you're planning mostly foreground and midground plants, I wouldn't chase maximum output. Consistent, even lighting across the tank will probably give you better results than creating a really bright center with dimmer ends. That also tends to make algae management a bit easier in low-tech tanks.

It sounds like you've already learned what works from your other 60", so I'd be inclined to build on that rather than reinvent the setup.

 

[jake72]

In truth I think there are better options then the fluval 3.0 these days. Yes they are reliable but i always found them a bit off - my oldest is around 6 1/2 years so they do last a long time. Some options to consider:

ai blade (stronger but more expensive - balance is a bit more blue then yellow)
week (stronger/if you go with the wider L model more front back coverage); NOT water proof like the plant 3.0
netlea (stronger/cheaper; ap is much more painful but also easier to in a sense)
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only the ai blade remembers the time on power outage; also the ai allow you to form groups if use multiple lights.
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The plant 3.0 i believe is technically discontinued and replaced by the plant 4.0 - it is pretty similar to the 3.0; i purchased one for testing.

 

[Joana333]

I’d probably go with two shorter lights and overlap them a bit in the middle. That should give you more even coverage across a 60" tank without needing a ton of light.

For a low-tech setup with mostly easy plants, the Fluval 3.0 should be plenty. I’d also mount them a little higher and adjust the intensity if you start seeing algae.

Honestly, I’d focus more on even coverage than trying to make the tank super bright.

 

[jake72]

I’d probably go with two shorter lights and overlap them a bit in the middle. That should give you more even coverage across a 60" tank without needing a ton of light.

For a low-tech setup with mostly easy plants, the Fluval 3.0 should be plenty. I’d also mount them a little higher and adjust the intensity if you start seeing algae.

Honestly, I’d focus more on even coverage than trying to make the tank super bright.

You said that but you're not adding new information.... and there are less expensive solutions to the fluval 3.0 which is outdated.

 

[AnilS]

My question is this: since few manufacturers make 60" lights, what sizes do you get and how do you mount/hang/overlap them?

I have a 60" wide 24" deep tank that needs better lighting. I currently have a 60" Dustin's Double left over from an older tank which doesn't provide nearly enough light. I have another 60" x 18" deep that has a pair of Fluval 2.0 48" lights which overlap in the middle for about 2' providing a bright zone in the center that the plants love and still plenty of brightness to both ends of the tank.

The tank will be a low tech heavily planted tank using mostly easy-to-grow plants. I currently grow more Val than I can sell on CL and will be making a serious effort to only grow foreground and midground plants rather than filling the thing with 3' tall flowy grass. The point is I don't need ridiculous amounts of light or anything crazy exotic.

I'm pretty set on getting the Fluval 3.0 lights. They seem to be pretty amazing and have improved a lot since the 2.0 version. I am open to suggestions if you've fallen in love with something else.

Hi, Pinkey;
I think for 5ft by 2ft tank..two 24-inch Fluval 3.0 lights will do the job.

 

[Joana333]

For a 60" low-tech planted tank, I'd go with two shorter lights rather than trying to find one perfect 60" fixture. You get better coverage and can overlap them slightly to avoid dark spots at the ends.

The Fluval 3.0 sounds like a good fit for what you're planning. I'd probably look at two 24" or 30" fixtures, depending on the actual coverage and mounting options. Two 24" lights with a little overlap could work well, but I'd check the spread before buying since a 24" deep tank needs decent front-to-back coverage too.

Another option is a pair of 36" lights, mounted with some overlap, if you want more even coverage across the whole tank. For easy plants like crypts, anubias, and vallisneria, you don't need to blast the tank with light. I'd rather have consistent coverage and a manageable photoperiod than a ton of intensity in the middle.

One thing I'd consider is how the Fluval 3.0 mounts over the tank. If you're using the adjustable brackets, make sure the fixtures can sit far enough apart to cover the full 60" without leaving the corners dim.

For your setup, I'd lean toward two fixtures with a slight overlap and adjustable intensity. That gives you room to tune the light once the plants fill in without having to replace everything.

 

[jake72]

For a 60" low-tech planted tank, I'd go with two shorter lights rather than trying to find one perfect 60" fixture. You get better coverage and can overlap them slightly to avoid dark spots at the ends.

The Fluval 3.0 sounds like a good fit for what you're planning. I'd probably look at two 24" or 30" fixtures, depending on the actual coverage and mounting options. Two 24" lights with a little overlap could work well, but I'd check the spread before buying since a 24" deep tank needs decent front-to-back coverage too.

Another option is a pair of 36" lights, mounted with some overlap, if you want more even coverage across the whole tank. For easy plants like crypts, anubias, and vallisneria, you don't need to blast the tank with light. I'd rather have consistent coverage and a manageable photoperiod than a ton of intensity in the middle.

One thing I'd consider is how the Fluval 3.0 mounts over the tank. If you're using the adjustable brackets, make sure the fixtures can sit far enough apart to cover the full 60" without leaving the corners dim.

For your setup, I'd lean toward two fixtures with a slight overlap and adjustable intensity. That gives you room to tune the light once the plants fill in without having to replace everything.

You can use hanging kit with the fluval however if you are going for a low end light the fluval in terms of price is not the right option - something like hygger 957 is 1/3 to 1/4 price.