What type of lighting are you using for FOWLR
- Thread starter atoz1to4
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Ironsheikh
New member
i have pc but would try T5 next time -- one of the nice looking german ones
tang_man_montreal
New member
On my 24" cube, I'm using 2x T5's for blue supplementation (sunrise/sunset effect), and a 250w 14k DE MH...
Overkill? Yes.
Pretty glitter lines? Yes.
Overkill? Yes.
Pretty glitter lines? Yes.
capt. insano
New member
3 250w MH pendants on my 240.......to much electricity for a FOWLR? Yup! But like tangman said, much prettier and more natural looking light
ReefWaters
Premium Member
You really dont have to worry about the intensity or even the quality of the light with fish. They are not photosynthetic animals. You could get away with an NO shop light kit from Home Depot and it wouldnt hurt your fish. It just wont look good. You really do want to make sure you get a clean, natural looking, color spectrum. Whether you use VHO, T5, PC, or NO, it doesnt matter, your probably going to want a fairly even mix (half and half) of crisp white (10K) and blue (20K or Actinic). Or go with a little more white than blue 2:1 or 3:1. The blue and white will bring out the colors of the fish more than a yellow bulb from HD.
MacnReef
Active member
Good point. I run a 2:1 on my T5's...two 10K and one actinic. I have the option to run a 3:1 with three 10k's but that is a little yellow for me and a little bright.
Personally, I like the view of 1:1 best on my tank, as I like the dark look. I think the darker look makes the tank seem like it is deep in the ocean down where the mean fishes are.
Mike
Personally, I like the view of 1:1 best on my tank, as I like the dark look. I think the darker look makes the tank seem like it is deep in the ocean down where the mean fishes are.
Mike
lagatbezan
Active member
would 2 sets of 48" PC lights each with 4 bulbs (2-1000k and 2 acticic) look good on a 240g? I want that crisp nice looking color without having heat problems.
I just have live rock and some fish. I'm using an "OLD" single stip PCwith a 50/50. I really don't like it. I was thinking of just getting an All Glass dual hood with the strip and putting 6700 or 10k & a 03 blue actinic flourescent tubes. What do you think?
I wish the strips had 2 switches so I could keep the blue on in the evening..........it looks cool.
ReefWaters
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7171596#post7171596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MacnReef
Personally, I like the view of 1:1 best on my tank, as I like the dark look. I think the darker look makes the tank seem like it is deep in the ocean down where the mean fishes are.
Mike
I agree, most of the fish we keep do fine with intense light but they are naturally found in much dimmer, deep blue light on the reef.
ReefWaters
Premium Member
That should be just fine. I ran NO for many a year when I first got into the hobby. I even ran them on a mixed softy reef and did just fine. So you know, the 6700 will be as yellow if not more yellow than the 50/50 you have. 03 Actinic is VERY blue/purple by itself. I would go with a 10K and an 03. You can also look around some more. They make a lot of "fish only" options in NO bulbs. They have colors that the MFG claims will bring out the colors in your fish. But you should be safe and happy with the 10K/03 option.
As for being able to view the blue only at night. Do you have a hood or are you just sitting the light fixtures on top of the tank? If you have a hood, you can retro the NO bulbs with two or more ballasts from HD on different timers to turn on the blue only in the morning and at night. If you dont have a hood, you could spend a little more money and buy two separate strips so they will be on different timers. You could always just add another PC strip as well and switch out the bulbs to the colors you want.
Let me know if any of this didnt make sense or if you have any more questions.
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