Light requirement for FOWLR tank

mrpergo · 09/11/2013, 05:29 PM

I am setting up a 75 gal FOWLR tank maybe add some coral 6 mo. to a year down the road but for now just fish and live rock (approx. 65 lbs )
I have the hood from my 55 gal freshwater tank that has a single florescent on each side. ( 15 watt T8 ) would this be enough light ?
I did a search but don't find what kind of light requirements are needed, like should the light be on for 4 hrs or 8 hrs , turn on in the morning turn off at night ect.
Any help

cloak · 09/11/2013, 05:59 PM

I think your freshwater hood should be ok. It might be a little dim, but it least it's something. I'm using a single 15 watt NO bulb over a 55 gallon freshwater tank right now and it looks ok. FWIW, if your hood is not bright enough for you, you can get a NO fixture & bulb for dirt cheap these days. Either on-line, (ebay, Craigslist) or from a fellow hobbyists. GL.

BTW, a photoperiod of 6-8 hours a day should be fine.

Hzuiel · 09/11/2013, 06:06 PM

Fish don't really have light "requirements." Heck most are fine being left in the dark for extended periods of time. The only suggestion i would make is certain lighting may make the colors on the fish stand out more.

However if you plan to buy coral in the future, do not waste even a dime on lighting that will serve no purpose once you decide to get coral. It's just not sensible to buy twice.

oscarinw · 09/11/2013, 09:07 PM

+1 with cloak on 6 hrs of photoperiod. However, consider no lights or dim blue lights as this will help with any potential algae issue.

Good luck with things

09/11/2013, 05:29 PM	#1
mrpergo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hilton,N.Y. Posts: 398	Light requirement for FOWLR tank I am setting up a 75 gal FOWLR tank maybe add some coral 6 mo. to a year down the road but for now just fish and live rock (approx. 65 lbs ) I have the hood from my 55 gal freshwater tank that has a single florescent on each side. ( 15 watt T8 ) would this be enough light ? I did a search but don't find what kind of light requirements are needed, like should the light be on for 4 hrs or 8 hrs , turn on in the morning turn off at night ect. Any help

09/11/2013, 05:59 PM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I think your freshwater hood should be ok. It might be a little dim, but it least it's something. I'm using a single 15 watt NO bulb over a 55 gallon freshwater tank right now and it looks ok. FWIW, if your hood is not bright enough for you, you can get a NO fixture & bulb for dirt cheap these days. Either on-line, (ebay, Craigslist) or from a fellow hobbyists. GL. BTW, a photoperiod of 6-8 hours a day should be fine. Last edited by cloak; 09/11/2013 at 06:28 PM.

09/11/2013, 06:06 PM	#3
Hzuiel Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 344	Fish don't really have light "requirements." Heck most are fine being left in the dark for extended periods of time. The only suggestion i would make is certain lighting may make the colors on the fish stand out more. However if you plan to buy coral in the future, do not waste even a dime on lighting that will serve no purpose once you decide to get coral. It's just not sensible to buy twice.

09/11/2013, 09:07 PM	#4
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	+1 with cloak on 6 hrs of photoperiod. However, consider no lights or dim blue lights as this will help with any potential algae issue. Good luck with things