Lighting for FOWLR

stealthbimmer · #1 05/01/2007, 09:18 PM

i am getting a 75g tank and stand for cheap. I am going to do a FOWLR, what would you reccomend for lighting?

drummereef · #2 05/01/2007, 09:35 PM

You can really do any lighting over a flowlr you want. To get some good color out of your fish I'd at least do compact fluorescent. VHO or T5's would be even better. Just keep in mind that you might want to do corals some day, so you'll need to possibly upgrade your lighting at that time.

stealthbimmer · #3 05/01/2007, 10:04 PM

so what about something like this...
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113175
or
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113345

drummereef · #4 05/01/2007, 10:10 PM

If it were between the two I'd go with the Current USA fixture. The Coralife fixtures have had some issues from what I've seen. If you have a little more of a budget you should look into the Sunlight Supply T5's. Pretty sweet.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ode=SunlightT5

SABOB · #5 05/01/2007, 10:10 PM

You can do almost anything.I started with a FOWLR and a shoplight fixture with a flurescent and a blue actnic.Recently upgraded to a used power compact with 260 watts to start keeping softies with fish.Start with what you can afford,but know you will probably want to upgrade in the future.Good luck and kep reading and asking questions,tht;s how we all learn.

Sparty00 · #6 05/01/2007, 10:36 PM

Drumreef,

What kind of stuff can you have with the light you are recommending?

Do you have one? If so do you know if they have 36" and can it mount on glass top?

drummereef · #7 05/01/2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sparty00
Drumreef,

What kind of stuff can you have with the light you are recommending?

Do you have one? If so do you know if they have 36" and can it mount on glass top?

It depends on the depth of the tank. I have a 40g mixed reef with polyps, softies, lps, and a couple sps. I have a Current USA PC 192 watt 36" fixture over the tank. Check out my gallery.

Sparty00 · #8 05/01/2007, 11:11 PM

I dont want to steal his thread, but I have a 65 AGA, and it is 26" from top to my sand bed.

Im debating on improving my lights, as I currently have T5's.

drummereef · #9 05/01/2007, 11:12 PM

How many T5's? What's the wattage?

drunktank · #10 05/01/2007, 11:13 PM

FOWLR, dont go crazy. just get some PCs and call is a day. Chances are you wont be putting corals in the tank due to the fish you'll be getting. (assuming ur keeping it FO b/c of large angels or tangs etc.)

Sparty00 · #11 05/01/2007, 11:20 PM

I have 4 T5's - Two Coralife Light Fixtures

2 10,000K
2 Actinics

drummereef · #12 05/01/2007, 11:27 PM

I think you'd be able to keep shrooms, polyps, and most softies with that lighting. You might be able to keep some lps, just keep it a little higher in the tank.

Sparty00 · #13 05/01/2007, 11:38 PM

Thanks Drummereef !

drummereef · #14 05/01/2007, 11:39 PM

Sure thing.

demonsp · #15 05/02/2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sparty00
I have 4 T5's - Two Coralife Light Fixtures

2 10,000K
2 Actinics

I use t-5 lighting and found some lps and sps's dont like and die off while some softies dont like being to high. Research and asking in here with help with what they found to work. I just wish i bought MH instead. I plan on MH but this t-5 cost so much i will wait awile.

stealthbimmer · #16 05/02/2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drunktank
FOWLR, dont go crazy. just get some PCs and call is a day. Chances are you wont be putting corals in the tank due to the fish you'll be getting. (assuming ur keeping it FO b/c of large angels or tangs etc.)

plan on having 2 triggers, puffer, and an eel....maybe angel not sure yet

comfort_racing · #17 05/02/2007, 07:58 AM

i actually went the budget minded for now till i build my canopy. my 75 gal. fowlr has a triple 48" aga fixture which i put two zoomed 10,000k's and a actinic in the middle. incrdible amount of light, and the fish and rock look incredible. it illuminates the entire room and i think i got a slight tan from it =) i also added a quad "blue" moonlight. all together new. this cost me a grand total of $164.00 at dr's foster & smith.

stealthbimmer · #18 05/13/2007, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by comfort_racing
i actually went the budget minded for now till i build my canopy. my 75 gal. fowlr has a triple 48" aga fixture which i put two zoomed 10,000k's and a actinic in the middle. incrdible amount of light, and the fish and rock look incredible. it illuminates the entire room and i think i got a slight tan from it =) i also added a quad "blue" moonlight. all together new. this cost me a grand total of $164.00 at dr's foster & smith.

do you have a link to what you are talking about?

comfort_racing · #19 05/14/2007, 07:41 AM

here ya go! i loaded it with two 10,000k's and one actinic. all from zoo med on dr's foster and smith.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113349

manitou · #20 05/14/2007, 11:51 AM

I am thinking FOWLR, but hope for some other stuff as I learn more about what my setup can support. I'm also playing a little game with myself about how cheaply I can put it all together.

I just ordered this light:
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=311

HOWEVER, I ordered it before reading about the sellers bad rep. I hope I'm the exception to this reputation. If you can wait a week or so I'll let you know how my experience is. (the price is pretty darn good from what I've seen).

Ricepicker · #21 05/14/2007, 12:08 PM

dont bother with PCs, period, T5 is same price and work WAY better

T5HO is good for corals, regular T5 just softies i say...

if its just fowlr just use shoplights unless u plan on upgrading later

thats a very high load you suggested there most triggers/puffers and eels will out grow that tank in an year, and if its anything other than dwarf angels, you're looking at the same thing

silly idea to have two triggers in a 75. 2 trigs and a puffer? asking for disaster.