lighting

[nyvp]

Just picked up a 150 60Lx21Wx28H and was wondering what you guys would use for a fish only. I was thinking about 2 - 175MH or do you think just go with 4 - 8 bulb t-5's? if t5's how many and how what color. if MH you think go with 14-15k or just 20k's?

 

[Osmotic Shock]

I would just go T5. I have 4 x 54watt on my 24 in deep FO and it is enough. I am changing my bulbs to get better color so I can't help you there. I am sure someone has the perfect 4 bulb combination- right??

 

[nyvp]

ya but in a FO tank thats 24" wide how many t5's would you use?

 

[RayAllen]

I would say that the majority FO/FOWLR guys usually run NO and VHO. There is no reasoning to run MH or T5's unless you are going to add corals. The fish are going to look just as good under NO/VHO and you are going to have less evap,heat and a lower electric bill.

 

[limitedslip]

Im running the exact setup u want on a 125 (2x175watt MH 20k) and honestly, I love it. It gives it a more realistic ocean look.

heres what it looked like before I added my fish and shark

and it adds nice coloration to the fish

 

[nyvp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11313253#post11313253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RayAllen
I would say that the majority FO/FOWLR guys usually run NO and VHO. There is no reasoning to run MH or T5's unless you are going to add corals. The fish are going to look just as good under NO/VHO and you are going to have less evap,heat and a lower electric bill.

depending on the amount of t5's your running that may not be true. 2 175w is 325-350w 6 t5's on icecaps which is 54w oversriven runs 80wx6 equals 480w even 4 overdriven is 320w so it depends will 4 handle 24" wide tank?

 

[splateee]

For a long time i just ran 1 x 10k and 1 x Antinic 40 watt NO flourescent bulbs on our 240 gallon. Now i am running power compacts because i added a few corals from my reef tank when i tore it down.

 

[mattsilvester]

I had two 250W MH on my 6x2x2 tank and it looked great.
I now have the same two 250W MH on my 8x2x2 (new bulbs), and it still looks great.

The nice thing about MH lighting is that as the fish move around the tank the various shades and hues of their colours come in and out..... when directly under the lamps, my male lyretail anthias looks pale pink..... but when in the darker areas of the tank he looks more violet...... same with all the other fish too....

Apart from the nice shimmering look, the colours on the fish are better too.....

I'd go with the MH lamps for sure.....

As far as the colour, I can never remember which is more "blue".... the 10,000k or teh 20,000K....... I;d go for teh more blue colour anywhay, whichever it is..... (can you believe I have to ask that every year when changing bulbs!).

HTH

MAtt

 

[limitedslip]

20k is the most blue, 10k is kinda yellow

 

[mattsilvester]

I'd go 20k then..... I first had 10k.... then went 14k (or maybe 16k) which is what I currently have.... and next time I am going 20k for sure....... coz my T8 actinics are pathetic.