lights ????

eagle9252 · 11/01/2011, 10:54 AM

I know I need better lights later but what can I do for now? I know if you do a FOWLR it really does not matter what you do.

Currently on my 75gal DT I have only 1 (single) coral life T-12. It says it’s a 6500K bulb. But it’s more pink than blue. I have about 25# of cured LR and one has a Kenya tree on it. It was in the back room with regular dim florescent lights at the LFS. I have about 15# of dry old coral rock and about 10# of base rock. I will be doing a reef tank later but I want to be able to get by at the moment.

After putting all the rocks in it I have some shadows and really dark spots. I know I need more rocks later. But it’s what I have. What I want to do is add a 2 bulb T-8 light and put some 6500K bulbs in it. Again, this is for now. The bulbs do put off a good bit of blue and then in the near future swap them out with some T-8 10,000 K bulbs from the LFS. By then I will have decided on better lights.

The direction of the tank so far is, LR and fish and some soft corals in a couple of months. I really don’t want MH because of the heat and electric needs. But as always that could change.

I have been told that I need to add 1 more power head for flow but I really don’t like anything in the tank. Hopefully when I upgrade in February to a 150ish tank I want to have nothing seen in the tank. I might have to do both corners but I want to hold out to only one corner as it will be 3 ¾ side viewed.

The bubbles are from a PS that I'm playing with and it will go in the sump soon. the rock is not touching any of the glass. It's sorta down the middle.

eagle9252 · 11/01/2011, 01:44 PM

but the question was ... what about "now".... I can add a 2 bulb T-8 6500K for 20.00. and by the time I need more lighting I can decide. If I go LEDS then I will stay with T-8 until then or I might go T-5 VHO and skip the 10k T-8.

but again I'm speaking about the now.

what lights do you use for FOWLR?

R_Hudson · 11/01/2011, 02:56 PM

FOr FOWLR any type of lighting will work, you wont get some of the really pretty colors in a fish to show up under normal lights, but they arent a requirement. Also I would stay away from the 6500K this spectrum is awefully yellow (often compared to daylight), the larger the K the bluer the light. You could get away with a 6500 and a 460nm actinic and the color should be somewhat of a crisp blue. ( I think).

eagle9252 · 11/01/2011, 06:39 PM

the 6500k bulbs are a white blue i think an 865 alto

11/01/2011, 10:54 AM	#1
eagle9252 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 245	lights ???? I know I need better lights later but what can I do for now? I know if you do a FOWLR it really does not matter what you do. Currently on my 75gal DT I have only 1 (single) coral life T-12. It says it’s a 6500K bulb. But it’s more pink than blue. I have about 25# of cured LR and one has a Kenya tree on it. It was in the back room with regular dim florescent lights at the LFS. I have about 15# of dry old coral rock and about 10# of base rock. I will be doing a reef tank later but I want to be able to get by at the moment. After putting all the rocks in it I have some shadows and really dark spots. I know I need more rocks later. But it’s what I have. What I want to do is add a 2 bulb T-8 light and put some 6500K bulbs in it. Again, this is for now. The bulbs do put off a good bit of blue and then in the near future swap them out with some T-8 10,000 K bulbs from the LFS. By then I will have decided on better lights. The direction of the tank so far is, LR and fish and some soft corals in a couple of months. I really don’t want MH because of the heat and electric needs. But as always that could change. I have been told that I need to add 1 more power head for flow but I really don’t like anything in the tank. Hopefully when I upgrade in February to a 150ish tank I want to have nothing seen in the tank. I might have to do both corners but I want to hold out to only one corner as it will be 3 ¾ side viewed. The bubbles are from a PS that I'm playing with and it will go in the sump soon. the rock is not touching any of the glass. It's sorta down the middle.

11/01/2011, 02:56 PM	#3
R_Hudson Just having fun Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tulsa, Ok. Posts: 990	FOr FOWLR any type of lighting will work, you wont get some of the really pretty colors in a fish to show up under normal lights, but they arent a requirement. Also I would stay away from the 6500K this spectrum is awefully yellow (often compared to daylight), the larger the K the bluer the light. You could get away with a 6500 and a 460nm actinic and the color should be somewhat of a crisp blue. ( I think). __________________ I don't pay to have my dirty work done for me. I do it myself. Ted Nugent

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11/01/2011, 01:44 PM	#2
eagle9252 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 245	but the question was ... what about "now".... I can add a 2 bulb T-8 6500K for 20.00. and by the time I need more lighting I can decide. If I go LEDS then I will stay with T-8 until then or I might go T-5 VHO and skip the 10k T-8. but again I'm speaking about the now. what lights do you use for FOWLR?

11/01/2011, 06:39 PM	#4
eagle9252 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 245	the 6500k bulbs are a white blue i think an 865 alto