Best way to raise par

[Rick's Reviews]

They only way to test is via a par meter. I'm pretty sure your lfs will hire you one of these for a day or two

Just my opinion...
to hire a par meter for a day or two would be money well spent as each aquarium is unique

 

[TCseh]

They only way to test is via a par meter. I'm pretty sure your lfs will hire you one of these for a day or two

Just my opinion...
to hire a par meter for a day or two would be money well spent as each aquarium is unique

None of my lfs have one. There is a guy about 35 minutes away but he wants a $500 deposit plus $50 a day for rent.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

$500 deposit is to ensure Thier equipment is returned without damage.
No concerns

If they are only 35mins away, I guess talk to them and arrange something.

Good luck

 

[TCseh]

$500 deposit is to ensure Thier equipment is returned without damage.
No concerns

If they are only 35mins away, I guess talk to them and arrange something.

Good luck

The deposit isn't a problem. Paying 10% of an items value for a day's use is the problem to me.

 

[Derrick0580]

Maybe see if you pay for gas and his time if he will just come take readings for you.

 

[oreo54]

The deposit isn't a problem. Paying 10% of an items value for a day's use is the problem to me.

You can get your own for $200..
Amazon product ASIN B0C7GRLQC4

 

[Hugster78]

Grab an LED bar and be done. They’ve already proven to be better than T5s. Especially the good bars. While not cheap, the AI Blade is the best LED bar I’ve ever tested and used.

Did you seriously just say a led bar is better then a t5 bulb!!!! I literally just laughed out loud. Thank you for that

 

[rtparty]

Did you seriously just say a led bar is better then a t5 bulb!!!! I literally just laughed out loud. Thank you for that

Yep and there is plenty of data and proof to back that up

 

[TCseh]

Did you seriously just say a led bar is better then a t5 bulb!!!! I literally just laughed out loud. Thank you for that

If you think t5 is better I'm looking for a t5 and kessil a360x combo lighting mount if you know of any.

 

[jackson6745]

Another vote for t5 addition. The par is even, gentile, and affordable. You already have the pop and shimmer from the Kessils, the blanket coverage from added t5's would be beneficial if you want more light. Something like this would work.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/aquatic-light-48-t5ho-hybrid-4-lamp-white-lamps-included.html

 

[Widdlyscudds]

I like the idea of t5s. I'll start doing some research on it. Any good ideas on mounting or the amount of bulbs I should use or even good mounting boxes for the lights.

4 4' bulbs for 18 inch wide tank should be fine could go 6 bulbs but with the kessils seems like overkill. I recommend htg supply if you are in the states and looking for a relatively cheap fixture. they also sell 10k bulbs for less than 10 bucks and i am a huge fan of the agromax pure par veg bulbs, they are artificial purple and are slightly less blue than a blueplus bulb for less than half the price and with higher peaks at 550 and 650.

 

[Widdlyscudds]

https://www.htgsupply.com/products/agromax-4-foot-t5-pure-par-bulb-2/

 

[TCseh]

Found a guy who is selling as "new out of the box" I don't know much about these, is there any questions I should ask to make sure everything works and is legit?

 

[Jekyl]

Found a guy who is selling as "new out of the box" I don't know much about these, is there any questions I should ask to make sure everything works and is legit?

Have him use it on his tank before walking out with it.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Yep and there is plenty of data and proof to back that up

 

[TCseh]

Another vote for t5 addition. The par is even, gentile, and affordable. You already have the pop and shimmer from the Kessils, the blanket coverage from added t5's would be beneficial if you want more light. Something like this would work.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/aquatic-light-48-t5ho-hybrid-4-lamp-white-lamps-included.html

my tank is 48" long. Would you recommend a lamp that's just as long as the tank?

 

[jackson6745]

my tank is 48" long. Would you recommend a lamp that's just as long as the tank?

I would, and 48” stuff seems more readily available than 36”.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

my tank is 48" long. Would you recommend a lamp that's just as long as the tank?

If you want a t5 set up yes . You can go cheap with a Amazon grow fixture, or expensive ATI setup. Iv been running grow fixtures for a while now. Very happy. I agree with above. 48" will be easier to get bulbs.

 

[TCseh]

I would, and 48” stuff seems more readily available than 36”.

Should I get something to put on the lamp to block light from shining in my eyes?

 

[jackson6745]

Should I get something to put on the lamp to block light from shining in my eyes?

I don’t think that’s necessary unless you’re looking up at the fixture often.