Light for a fowlr tank

[Recliner]

I've had a reef tank for 4-5 years but when I switched to an acrylic tank the maintenance was too much. I'm looking to switch to a fowlr and have already sold off my reefbreeder light. What's the best light for a fowlr that won't grow algea like crazy?

 

[Hentz]

Anything really. You can use a desk light if you wanted even. You're just lighting the tank to see whats in there. Algae can be more controlled by taking care of the water quality.

 

[goreef170]

I use the 360 kessils and keep them on low.

 

[Recliner]

When I was running a reef tank I had sps so I alway kept good water quality but algae was hard to keep up with when I switched from a glass tank to an acrylic because I could use a razor blade attachment on my mag cleaner.

So a couple 60 Watt equivalent led flood lights would work? Same as I have I all my can lights in my basement recessed lights

 

[AlSimmons]

I would just go with a standard fluorescent light. FWIW on one of my older reef tanks for the first 3 months or so this was all I used. I got some great Coralline algae growth with just a 40 watt POWER-GLO bulb.

 

[Recliner]

Did that minimize algea growth?

 

[jda]

You can use whatever you want. The fish will look better with something like a 50x50 and a 10K bulb. 4' 40W HO in a $10 fixture from hardware store. Use the bulbs until they burn out.

Algae can grow under any light. If you get some issues, carbon dosing (VSV) is easy and effective without the risk of starving coral.

 

[moondoggy4]

Any of the .5 led watts light fixture that are for sale, Finnex 24/7 would be nice My son has one over his FW tank it dims and brightens up like it is following the sun.

 

[Recliner]

Any issue with any light not being enough to light it 30" below the surface?

 

[jda]

No. The fish won't need any light, so what they get is OK.

Seriously, don't overthink or overspend on this beyond just picking something in the 10-20k range for better looks (not yellow).

 

[AlSimmons]

+1

All you really need is enough light to see the fish clearly, nothing more.