What's the Minimum lighting req' for FOWLR tank

Jakesaw · 05/20/2008, 11:56 PM

I'm working numbers for starter Marine tank - and they are higher than I'd like them to be for a 40 gallon Breeder tank. I can take about $150.00 off my tank setup if I go with a 29 gallon tank insted of 40 with separate glass top and T5 lighting fixture.

Can I get a successful FOWLR tank running healthy with nice coraline algae if use the standard flourescent lamp that comes with a hood - and swap out the bulb with a Marine bulb of some sort. I can accept initially a little less in Fish coloration from a single bulb lighting system and upgrade the light later - but if it's going to not provide enoujgh light for Live Rock - I'll have to rework my plans some more.

SeanT · 05/21/2008, 12:43 AM

Flourescent will be fine for a FOWLR.

If you aren't going with corals at the moment save your money.

Gold Stripe · 05/21/2008, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanT
Flourescent will be fine for a FOWLR.

If you aren't going with corals at the moment save your money.

+1

clevengergl · 05/21/2008, 08:22 AM

Coralline actually has better growth under less-intense lighting so, like SeanT said, normal output fluorescents would work fine

Jakesaw · 05/21/2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clevengergl
Coralline actually has better growth under less-intense lighting so, like SeanT said, normal output fluorescents would work fine

Sweeet,

I really wanted the longer deeper tank - but man the cost of this hobby add up quickly when your'e starting from scratch.

dmo · 05/21/2008, 10:25 AM

The cost of this hobby never seems to stop adding up quickly

05/20/2008, 11:56 PM	#1
Jakesaw Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 69	What's the Minimum lighting req' for FOWLR tank I'm working numbers for starter Marine tank - and they are higher than I'd like them to be for a 40 gallon Breeder tank. I can take about $150.00 off my tank setup if I go with a 29 gallon tank insted of 40 with separate glass top and T5 lighting fixture. Can I get a successful FOWLR tank running healthy with nice coraline algae if use the standard flourescent lamp that comes with a hood - and swap out the bulb with a Marine bulb of some sort. I can accept initially a little less in Fish coloration from a single bulb lighting system and upgrade the light later - but if it's going to not provide enoujgh light for Live Rock - I'll have to rework my plans some more.

05/21/2008, 12:43 AM	#2
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Flourescent will be fine for a FOWLR. If you aren't going with corals at the moment save your money. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

05/21/2008, 08:22 AM	#4
clevengergl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 419	Coralline actually has better growth under less-intense lighting so, like SeanT said, normal output fluorescents would work fine __________________ "Now you see that evil will always triumph...because good is dumb." -Dark Helmet, Spaceballs Current Tank Info: 220g In-Wall in Progress!!! Click Red House above!

05/21/2008, 10:25 AM	#6
dmo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 154	The cost of this hobby never seems to stop adding up quickly __________________ Daniel Current Tank Info: 90g reef