Lighting

ugluk · 04/06/2007, 06:33 AM

I have a 72 gallon FOWLR tank thats been running for about a month and a half and I have a question about my lighting. I have corralife 4x65w lights with 2 actinincs that I run the first and last two hours and 2 50/50 that I run for 8 hours. For a FOWLR tank (and this is my first tank so I dont plan to do a reef for years) is this to much? I know people will say you can never have to much light but I am on a budjet and the money I can save on energy using flourescents makes me lean that way. Though I do like having the actinics.

Avi · 04/06/2007, 08:03 AM

With a fish only tank the lighting isn't critical at all and you have a lot more leeway in how long you want to leave the lights on if the cost is an issue for you. Essentially, the lights provide a means through which you view the fish so if you have enough lighting to view the fish without any problem, you have enough lighting. Light does have some metabolic function but leaving the lights on as you intend will meet those requirements.

04/06/2007, 06:33 AM	#1
ugluk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: King of Prussia, Pa Posts: 336	Lighting I have a 72 gallon FOWLR tank thats been running for about a month and a half and I have a question about my lighting. I have corralife 4x65w lights with 2 actinincs that I run the first and last two hours and 2 50/50 that I run for 8 hours. For a FOWLR tank (and this is my first tank so I dont plan to do a reef for years) is this to much? I know people will say you can never have to much light but I am on a budjet and the money I can save on energy using flourescents makes me lean that way. Though I do like having the actinics.

04/06/2007, 08:03 AM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	With a fish only tank the lighting isn't critical at all and you have a lot more leeway in how long you want to leave the lights on if the cost is an issue for you. Essentially, the lights provide a means through which you view the fish so if you have enough lighting to view the fish without any problem, you have enough lighting. Light does have some metabolic function but leaving the lights on as you intend will meet those requirements. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR