Lighting for FO or FOWLR tank

[mling]

I know that high intensity lighting is needed for a reef tank.  What about a Fish only tank ?  Would normal fluorescent lighting be sufficient since there are no corals ?

[Guest Tmtplyb]

If you have fish only tank fluorescent light are fine! no need to spend $$$ on light there.

[cabrerad]

Personally, I would opt for better lighting than NO.  First, your tank is going to look better.  Second, the fauna on your live rock will fare better. Third, anecdotally at least, I have seen marine fish fare better with better lighting.    I don't know if anyone has tested this or not, but it's just from my experience and that of some others  (if these are reef fish they are exposed to really high light conditions in nature). Fourth, you may decide to add corals later on and really need the lighting. What kind of set up are you thinking about?

 

David C.

[miller]

you really only need enough to see the fish but with a little better light and maybe some actinic supplementaton the colors will be better

[mling]

David C

 

The primary purpose of this Tank is so that I can keep fishes that I can't keep in my reef tank since they will nip at corals.  What do you suggest as better lighting for the funa to fair better ?  

 

This tank is a 44 Gal corner, pentagon, 22 x 22 x 24.  It has two openings for two 18" hoods.  From what I heard, I might get 1 daylight and 1 actinc from Coralife.  That will give me a total of 15 x 2, 30 watts.

[Guest Tmtplyb]

mling,

 

Are you new at this hobby? There are many options that you can do with your tank, some already mention by Cabrerad, make sure that you are happy with your decision and your budget.  Good Luck!:D

[Aquariareview]

There is so many schools of thought on this but a couple of things are for sure.

• The stuff on the live rock need some light.
  
• The wrong things (algae) will grow if the right spectrum is not present.
  
• You dont need a lot of light just the right light.
  

 

Since I don't know how large the system will be I can't tell you which system to use, but I can recommend an concept.

 

If the system is large, go with 10,000k NO bulbs, Mix them with Actinics and you will see a better color in both your fish and your rock. standard tubes. You can buy the new Allglass... triple tube strip

The unit has electronic ballasts and polished aluminum reflectors and comes in 36 in a & 48 in Lengths