Inexpensive lighting for a FOWLR

john miller · 03/28/2011, 08:44 AM

I'm getting ready to build a canopy for my 37 gallon FOWLR tank and need help with the lighting. It originally came with an Eclipse hood with two 24" T8 bulbs that I think were 18W each that did a decent job lighting it.

The tank contains one green spot puffer so it will never have an corals of any kind in there. I'm going to try a few different low light macro algae to give it some color but those might not even stay since the puffer tends to taste everything.

So what would be the best option CF, T5 or ?, also any good sources for retro kits? Tank is 30x12x22.

Thanks

arentspowell · 03/28/2011, 09:18 AM

I would go for T-5's. They last longer, are esier to find and are cheaper than CF. As far as a reto kit goes you could look at one at reef geek http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...y_LET_Lighting That kit even comes with the high quality bulbs.

sjfishguy · 03/28/2011, 12:02 PM

Why wouldn't you just use NO lighting? You can get a shoplight fixture from Home Depot and build the canopy around it

jcw · 03/28/2011, 12:09 PM

Yes, if you want inexpensive, get those light fixtures from a hardware store and put in some CFL bulbs. $7 per bulb for a 100-150W equivalent and draws only 26W each. It's fine for a fowlr.

dzfish17 · 03/28/2011, 12:17 PM

Coralife makes some inexpensive double bulb T-5 strip lights. I like the 18k powerglo bulbs for a FO tank.

john miller · 03/28/2011, 12:41 PM

What about the macro algae? I can't find a definite answer on exactly what it needs.

TheFishMan65 · 03/28/2011, 01:11 PM

Warm light 2700-3000 for macro algae.

john miller · 03/29/2011, 07:37 AM

After doing some figuring on materials for building the canopy I would be better off time & price wise to just buy a fixture. I found a few T5's that were reasonable so which would be best for my situation?
Coralife Aqualight 2x18 $50
Current USA Nova Extreme 2x24 $76
Coralife Aqualight 2x31 HO $110
Thanks

sjfishguy · 03/30/2011, 11:41 AM

I have grown macro under normal Florescent lighting

john miller · 03/30/2011, 02:58 PM

Just regular T-8's?
That's good to know, thanks.

jeff@zina.com · 03/30/2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john miller

It originally came with an Eclipse hood with two 24" T8 bulbs that I think were 18W each that did a decent job lighting it.

Is there a reason not to use that lighting? It's perfectly fine for a FOWLR and any macro algae.

Jeff

john miller · 03/30/2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

Is there a reason not to use that lighting? It's perfectly fine for a FOWLR and any macro algae.

Jeff

I put an Eshopps PSK75H & AC70 on the back so I had to remove the hood.

bamf25 · 03/30/2011, 07:24 PM

Home Depot sells t5 bulbs and fixtures.

john miller · 03/31/2011, 08:38 PM

I've pretty much decided against the DIY canopy and I'm going with a pre made unit. I've found that I can get a t5 2x18W or a t5HO 2x24W fixture cheaper than I can get a twin t8 one. So, $45 for an Coralife Aqualight or $60 for a ZooMed AquaSun. Any opinions on either before I buy tomorrow?

03/28/2011, 08:44 AM	#1
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	Inexpensive lighting for a FOWLR I'm getting ready to build a canopy for my 37 gallon FOWLR tank and need help with the lighting. It originally came with an Eclipse hood with two 24" T8 bulbs that I think were 18W each that did a decent job lighting it. The tank contains one green spot puffer so it will never have an corals of any kind in there. I'm going to try a few different low light macro algae to give it some color but those might not even stay since the puffer tends to taste everything. So what would be the best option CF, T5 or ?, also any good sources for retro kits? Tank is 30x12x22. Thanks

03/28/2011, 09:18 AM	#2
arentspowell Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 296	I would go for T-5's. They last longer, are esier to find and are cheaper than CF. As far as a reto kit goes you could look at one at reef geek http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...y_LET_Lighting That kit even comes with the high quality bulbs. __________________ Innovative Marine Nuvo 10g AIO Mixed Reef AI Prime Black with Hanging Kit // Vortech MP10QD // InTank Media Basket // Innovative Marine Ghost Skimmer // Tunze 1073.008 Return Pump // AutoAqua ATO

03/28/2011, 12:02 PM	#3
sjfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 2,212	Why wouldn't you just use NO lighting? You can get a shoplight fixture from Home Depot and build the canopy around it __________________ Rich nanoTOTM May '08 29 years saltwater, 19 years reefs Current Tank Info: 65 mixed reef

03/28/2011, 12:09 PM	#4
jcw Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: elmhurst, il Posts: 1,778	Yes, if you want inexpensive, get those light fixtures from a hardware store and put in some CFL bulbs. $7 per bulb for a 100-150W equivalent and draws only 26W each. It's fine for a fowlr. __________________ I don't think Coral can live very long under Sun light. It's too yellow. ...get yourself some LED's. -eznet2u Current Tank Info: 125g DT, custom 30g sump, ATB elegance, eheim 1260, mp40 (too many failed wetsides), gyre 150 (love it)

03/28/2011, 12:17 PM	#5
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	Coralife makes some inexpensive double bulb T-5 strip lights. I like the 18k powerglo bulbs for a FO tank. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

03/28/2011, 12:41 PM	#6
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	What about the macro algae? I can't find a definite answer on exactly what it needs.

03/28/2011, 01:11 PM	#7
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Warm light 2700-3000 for macro algae. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

03/29/2011, 07:37 AM	#8
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	After doing some figuring on materials for building the canopy I would be better off time & price wise to just buy a fixture. I found a few T5's that were reasonable so which would be best for my situation? Coralife Aqualight 2x18 $50 Current USA Nova Extreme 2x24 $76 Coralife Aqualight 2x31 HO $110 Thanks

03/30/2011, 11:41 AM	#9
sjfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 2,212	I have grown macro under normal Florescent lighting __________________ Rich nanoTOTM May '08 29 years saltwater, 19 years reefs Current Tank Info: 65 mixed reef

03/30/2011, 02:58 PM	#10
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	Just regular T-8's? That's good to know, thanks.

03/30/2011, 07:24 PM	#13
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	Home Depot sells t5 bulbs and fixtures.

03/31/2011, 08:38 PM	#14
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	I've pretty much decided against the DIY canopy and I'm going with a pre made unit. I've found that I can get a t5 2x18W or a t5HO 2x24W fixture cheaper than I can get a twin t8 one. So, $45 for an Coralife Aqualight or $60 for a ZooMed AquaSun. Any opinions on either before I buy tomorrow?

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