Best lighting for a 125 gallon FOWLR?

[20 20]

I've got a 29 gallon reef right now, with 130 watts of PC lighting, which I'm considering upgrading to T5. But, I've also got a 125 gallon freshwater tank I'm considering converting to a FOWLR. Trying to figure out the costs of the conversion, and I'm a bit stuck on what type of lights to put on it. I know the lighting on a fish-only tank is not as important as with a reef with corals, but what is 'optimal' lighting for a FO? I could stick with the NO flourescents, but I'm absolutely POSITIVE I don't want that. So, are VHO, T5, or MH lights overkill? Would PC lighting be 'good'? Would T5 or VHO be better, or just overkill on a FO tank? I'm leaning towards PC lighting for the cost, but if T5 or VHO would be much better I'd spring for the extra cost. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jerry W]

I run 4x65 W pc's on my 120 fowlr. Upgraded from the regular NO lights last year. IMO, it really enhances the appearance of the fish, rock, etc.. I don't think MH is necessary unless you plan to add some corals down the road, but if it's to remain strictly a FOWLR, pc's would fit the bill nicely. Not too expensive either.

 

[marrone]

Take into account the cost of bulbs as both T-5, VHO and PC are more expensive than regular bulbs. You also don't want the tank to bright, unless you have hiding spaces or caves as some fish don't like very bright lights.

 

[20 20]

Thanks for the replies. If I go this way, PC it will be.

 

[SaltyMember]

I use NO bulbs for my 125 and am happy, but 2 36 inch 96watt PC fixtures should work well.

 

[Jasonanatal]

I have a 180 gallon with Power Compacts this is how it looks Current USA has a good 48 inch model available.

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[slowECUdiver]

PC for me but...

PC for me but...

i got the coralife PC (4x65 watts--2 10k and 2 actinic blue) on my 75 gallon fowlr. i like the look, the light has built in balasts, fans and reflectors, and the cost was right b/c i bought used from a fellow RC member. i personally like the PC lights appearance, BUT the PC bulbs cost a lot. some replace them every 6 months, others push them for a year before replacing. MH i think last about 18 months, so you're replacing the bulbs less than PC.

think long term: do you want to add corals later? if so, invest in the MH and supplement the light with T5 or VHO actinic.

just my $0.02

 

[jmicky41]

I'd be carefull about adding too much light over a FOWLR tank. If the water paramaters aren't top notch, you will invite a nasty hair algae outbreak. My old tank had 2 NO flourescents with phosphates off the charts and nitrates around 50 ppm - but grew no algae. My current tank has VHO with .03ppm phosphates and nitrates under 10 ppm - hair algae is everywhere.

 

[sean48183]

jmicky41 is right on in his observation. You can add 2 t8 bulbs with one blue and 1 10k and show the color of your fish without inviting nasty algae to the party. Will still be plenty enough for live rock. JMO

 

[kpk]

I am trying to decide the same thing for my 150g FOWLR. I will have about 150lbs of live rock will that be plenty of light with the t8 NO's?