lighting for FOWLR tank

[tb27272]

I am setting up my 180 gallon predator tank next week. It is a 60" long tank. I am getting the entire setup from a friend. The only shortcoming is the lighting what is appropriate/sufficient? I have a URI ballast that presently has three 48" 110 vho, but it will accept another 110, will this work? thanks tommy

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

Anything you want in a FOWLR...I have the old flouresant 50/50 lights that came on my 125 on my 240 FOWLR..I don't want algae issues in this tank..The sides and back of my tank stay so nice and clean!!:rollface:

 

[sunfishh]

Your lights will work fine. In a FOWLR you just want to be able to see the fish.

 

[jmicky41]

My old tank had poor water parameters, but since the light was only N.O. flourescents - algae didn't grow. My new tank with the VHO has much better water quality - yet is covered in hair algae. My suggestion is just using enough light to view the fish.

 

[Triggerman1964]

Normal flourescents work fine.

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7483397#post7483397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Triggerman1964
Normal flourescents work fine.

Are these from the hardware store? I thought about getting some to mount on my canopy but was worried that might happen if they got wet....my canopy is not very tall...Also do you use 50/50 bulbs? I got bulbs from lowes before, too yellow

 

[VolitanLioness]

Hey BTTRFLYGRL, I have some Checker plate Aluminum Ballast that I purchased at Home Depot. I put them up Aug. 2005 and no rust.

They also carry a variety of bulbs, I use Natural Sunlight Bulbs/5000k & Daylight Bulbs/6500K. I found this combination does not give me a yellow look.


Kaye

 

[SaltyMember]

I found 4 foot 6500k NO daylight bulbs at Lowes also. I use these combined with an Actinic bulb. This combo gives a white appearance with no yellow, but next time I think I will go with a 50/50 bulb and actinic since I like a slightly more blue appearance.

Anyone have a pic of their tank with a 50/50 bulb and actinic NO bulb combination?