Finnex Stingray 2-Too much light for 55gal long low-tech?

[Corbidorbidoodle]

Hey, y'all.

So I have a 55 long with mostly stem plants and a couple swords. (anna buncha fish) Inert substrate with root tabs, no CO2, settled in at about 10ppm nitrate. I had a 36" light on there and the plants at the edge weren't growing too well. The stuff in the middle was doing pretty well though. It was a cheap NICREW ClassicLED. I wanted a 48" light and went with the Stingray 2.

But it seems really bright now... I like it, but do you think this is way too much for my setup? In general, is the S-2 considered Medium Light? I know there are variables, like depth and what you want to grow... But would a S-1 be better?

I really like the low-tech, low maintenance tank. I don't want to have to dose a bunch, or run CO2, and trim every two days. I could return the S-2 and get a S-1. Or any other 48" light really. I don't mind spending a little money, but I don't need anything fancy that I can control with my phone or whatever.

I appreciate any advice or recommendations.

[TheSwissAquarist]

If you're worried about plants dying, throw in some Water Sprite, duckweed, or other floating plants.

Most stem plants should be fine, and the swords will melt and grow new leaves over a 1- 2 month period.

 

 

[Patrick_G]

A 55 gallon is a fairly deep tank, I’m not sure what kind of stem plants you have, but many varieties will need the extra light. You might have some algae issues, but that can be helped by adding more plants. 

[Mmiller2001]

You could also lift the light a few inches if you find it's too much light.

[Bev C]

i have two lights on my 55 gallon I have 2 finnex 24/7  plant lights  and i am doing low light plants and a few medium light  plants  with no  Co2 Have two lights because with one  light some of the plants was not getting very much lights ,  my lights you can turn the intensity up or down   for my lights i like the light intensity to about 30-40 % to work with my plants that i have 

 Sample

if i want my lights 40 % intensity i set each   light to 20 %intensity     and it is working well for me ,,

I still have  brown algae problems  but  not from the lights just found out my Fish store tested my water i have very high phosphates ,, just start using   phosphates test & Seachem Phosguard  for a week so it is helping so far time will tell  usually it take 2-3 weeks to see if something new works  

Plus i have 2 floating plants that helps the lighting to I want to add some water westeria to float  with my Amazon Frogbit  &  Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus

Best Wishes 

Edited March 5, 2022 by Bev C