offminded

Hi All,

What are the basic rules/parameters for lighting a 55 gallon FOWLR tank. I seem to have researched just about everything...except for lighting. Can anyone provide me with some insight? Thanks!!

Dave

sgould

For FOWLR, you can use standard flourescent lighting, though you might want to stick a reef bulb in it to help draw out the coloring of the fish and coralline a little more. Down the road, if you decide to try your hand at adding some corals to the tank, you will need to look at a lighting upgrade, but strong lighting is not necessary for fish and live rock.

offminded

can i go with 2 bulbs under one canopy? one being a standard flourescent light and the other being a reef bulb?

sgould

It will not hurt anything, if that is what you are asking. If you try it and it doesn't look right to you, change the other bulb too.

offminded

so it sounds like just use two reef bulbs under the hood? would those bulbs be cinsidered actnic (sp) lighting?

sgould

Oops killed message ! I thought I hit the Quote button !

agsansoo

Sgould,
Re-post message !

Sorry,
Andy

sgould

HELP! HELP! I'M BEING REPRESSED!

I was just saying that the reef bulbs are combination bulbs...part actinic, part simulated daylight. This link is an example of the bulbs I am talking about, and are the ones I used when my tank was FOWLR. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...97&pcatid=4497

agsansoo

That's why I shouldn't be allowed to push any buttons when I'm tired ... LOL

I was trying to post about how much money is spent upgrading your equipment in this hobby.

sgould

That's the truth! And apparantly I have not learned my lesson, as I am giving serious thought to converting my 55 gallon freshwater tank over to saltwater next year. After I've recovered from Christmas spending.

offminded

i can tell you that i have already sustained a major heart attack when i dropped $900 on my tank, stand, and canopy...ugh!