best buy for lighting

[thomasmoore]

I'm getting ready to set up my 40gl for FOWLR and I'd like to know what light would be best for my buget and tank????

Tank is 36"L X 12"W X 21"H

I'd like to keep my buget for lighting around $100.

My plans are for maybe 20lbs of LR and as many ZOOS and POYLOPS as possible and 4 decent fish. I do have two regular flor tubes 15W(stock LFS hood lights) to use also. I currently have a 20gl going and I purchased a Coralife 50/50 65W unit which seems to do OK with that setup. Would this light work also with a combination of my other FLOR tubes?

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Jaymann]

If you want the corals I would spend the extra money and get MH or T5 I bought mine on ebay and I love it!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130072844530&rd=1&rd=1

 

[virginiadiver69]

I highly recommend hellolights.com
I dare you to find a better price(they price match), and there customer service is awesome. You can get a tek light 2 bulb retro fit for about $100(T-5).
Give them a call and they will recommend the lighting you need for what you want to do. They won't oversell you either.

 

[Mariner]

IMO, you'd be at the bare minimum of lighting for zoanthids with everything you've got. If it were me on your budget, I think I'd at least try to get another 65w PC unit, or possibly selling the 65w unit that you have and getting a 2 x 96w unit.
The light system Jaymann linked would be ideal, IMO; in fact, although I don't have that unit, I do have a 250w MH with 2 96w PC's over my 40g SPS tank -- mine is more of a retrofit, DIY set up
Also, if you add the zoanthids, you'll have to quit calling it a FOWLR
HTH,
Mariner

 

[Shagsbeard]

Buy used from the used equipment forum. Lighting is something people typically upgrade, so you can usually find some really cheap stuff used.

 

[thomasmoore]

I've been visiting EBAY and they have some T5 full spectum lights for 109$, but their grow lights. Would these work.

Mariner
My 65W is currently in use for the 20gl, i don't think I could talk the son into giving it to me.

 

[thomasmoore]

Do I really need MH lighting if I'm not planning on having any "hard coral"?

 

[bertoni]

You don't need MH in any case. T5 HO would be fine. I don't think the grow lights will work all that well. They might not be HO, and the color temperature tends to be too low to look nice.

 

[Mariner]

Right-- what Bertoni said.
You certainly don't need MH.
HTH,
Mariner