Light for a fowlr tank

Recliner · 12/10/2016, 06:16 PM

I've had a reef tank for 4-5 years but when I switched to an acrylic tank the maintenance was too much. I'm looking to switch to a fowlr and have already sold off my reefbreeder light. What's the best light for a fowlr that won't grow algea like crazy?

Hentz · 12/10/2016, 06:21 PM

Anything really. You can use a desk light if you wanted even. You're just lighting the tank to see whats in there. Algae can be more controlled by taking care of the water quality.

goreef170 · 12/10/2016, 06:25 PM

I use the 360 kessils and keep them on low.

Recliner · 12/10/2016, 06:45 PM

When I was running a reef tank I had sps so I alway kept good water quality but algae was hard to keep up with when I switched from a glass tank to an acrylic because I could use a razor blade attachment on my mag cleaner.

So a couple 60 Watt equivalent led flood lights would work? Same as I have I all my can lights in my basement recessed lights

AlSimmons · 12/10/2016, 06:47 PM

I would just go with a standard fluorescent light. FWIW on one of my older reef tanks for the first 3 months or so this was all I used. I got some great Coralline algae growth with just a 40 watt POWER-GLO bulb.

Recliner · 12/10/2016, 06:56 PM

Did that minimize algea growth?

jda · 12/10/2016, 07:51 PM

You can use whatever you want. The fish will look better with something like a 50x50 and a 10K bulb. 4' 40W HO in a $10 fixture from hardware store. Use the bulbs until they burn out.

Algae can grow under any light. If you get some issues, carbon dosing (VSV) is easy and effective without the risk of starving coral.

moondoggy4 · 12/11/2016, 10:56 AM

Any of the .5 led watts light fixture that are for sale, Finnex 24/7 would be nice My son has one over his FW tank it dims and brightens up like it is following the sun.

Recliner · 12/11/2016, 11:01 AM

Any issue with any light not being enough to light it 30" below the surface?

jda · 12/11/2016, 11:04 AM

No. The fish won't need any light, so what they get is OK.

Seriously, don't overthink or overspend on this beyond just picking something in the 10-20k range for better looks (not yellow).

AlSimmons · 12/11/2016, 11:45 AM

+1

All you really need is enough light to see the fish clearly, nothing more.

12/10/2016, 06:16 PM	#1
Recliner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 289	Light for a fowlr tank I've had a reef tank for 4-5 years but when I switched to an acrylic tank the maintenance was too much. I'm looking to switch to a fowlr and have already sold off my reefbreeder light. What's the best light for a fowlr that won't grow algea like crazy?

12/10/2016, 06:21 PM	#2
Hentz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 2,016	Anything really. You can use a desk light if you wanted even. You're just lighting the tank to see whats in there. Algae can be more controlled by taking care of the water quality. __________________ A Reef in the Desert: 120 Gallon (4x2x2) - MP40 x2 - Gyre 130 - ATI Sunpower - Simplicity Pump/Skimmer - Controlled by Apex

12/10/2016, 06:25 PM	#3
goreef170 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rancho Belago, Calif. Posts: 735	I use the 360 kessils and keep them on low. __________________ 250 gallon Advanced Acrylic, 103 gal sump, MTC - MVX 34" Skimmer, with Jebao DCT 12,000, 4-Kessil 360 we, 2-MP40 QD. 57W. Aqua UV, 1/4 Arctica chiller, 3 dosing pumps,phos, charcoal reactors

12/10/2016, 06:45 PM	#4
Recliner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 289	When I was running a reef tank I had sps so I alway kept good water quality but algae was hard to keep up with when I switched from a glass tank to an acrylic because I could use a razor blade attachment on my mag cleaner. So a couple 60 Watt equivalent led flood lights would work? Same as I have I all my can lights in my basement recessed lights

12/10/2016, 06:47 PM	#5
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	I would just go with a standard fluorescent light. FWIW on one of my older reef tanks for the first 3 months or so this was all I used. I got some great Coralline algae growth with just a 40 watt POWER-GLO bulb.

12/10/2016, 06:56 PM	#6
Recliner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 289	Did that minimize algea growth?

12/10/2016, 07:51 PM	#7
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	You can use whatever you want. The fish will look better with something like a 50x50 and a 10K bulb. 4' 40W HO in a $10 fixture from hardware store. Use the bulbs until they burn out. Algae can grow under any light. If you get some issues, carbon dosing (VSV) is easy and effective without the risk of starving coral.

12/11/2016, 10:56 AM	#8
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Any of the .5 led watts light fixture that are for sale, Finnex 24/7 would be nice My son has one over his FW tank it dims and brightens up like it is following the sun.

12/11/2016, 11:01 AM	#9
Recliner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 289	Any issue with any light not being enough to light it 30" below the surface?

12/11/2016, 11:04 AM	#10
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	No. The fish won't need any light, so what they get is OK. Seriously, don't overthink or overspend on this beyond just picking something in the 10-20k range for better looks (not yellow).

12/11/2016, 11:45 AM	#11
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	+1 All you really need is enough light to see the fish clearly, nothing more.