Lighting for a FOWLR tank?

[gotpancit]

I'm planning my next tank and now I'm into the lighting part. The tank I have is a 72" long tank (140gal). I'm thinking of only getting four t5 HO lights. Is that going to be enough for a fowlr? Or do I need more watts by adding more t5's or go MH?
thanks

 

[saltn00b]

you could technically run a FOWLR with no lights. anything you get will be for aesthetics. but you may consider getting something that is powerful enough to support corals, in case you decide on getting more complicated down the line.

 

[saltfan]

Originally Posted by saltn00b
http:///forum/post/2943559
you could technically run a FOWLR with no lights. anything you get will be for aesthetics. but you may consider getting something that is powerful enough to support corals, in case you decide on getting more complicated down the line.
Second that.

 

[dustyboy316]

I agree. Shouldn't that like grow some lower light corals?

 

[saltfan]

It will, but they won't thrive as they say. They will live but aren't going to look right. Even Kenya Trees like more light than that, and they are easy.

 

[meowzer]

Take it from someone who spent a lot of unnecessary money on lights....Go for the MH, bette rto have more light if you ever want to add any corals...I 1st bought the regular fluorescent lids...6 of them, then a 72" light fixture cf, and finally my MH lights...all within 6 months of having my tank.....VERY COSTLY

 

[small triggers]

or if you have the space in your hood, if you have one, you could do 2 CF fixtures from a cheap source. I have an extra cf on one half of my tank since i now have a anemone and a few mushrooms on that side.

 

[zsqure]

Originally Posted by saltn00b
http:///forum/post/2943559
you could technically run a FOWLR with no lights. anything you get will be for aesthetics. but you may consider getting something that is powerful enough to support corals, in case you decide on getting more complicated down the line.
I would have to agree, buy your lights once for the tank. Go t-5 or MH. Enough lighting to support corals you will be pleased down the road. Don't skimp on the un known brands buy name buy quality.

 

[dragonboy]

Well if its only FOWLR a low power light is good enough if you have tangs it will help for growing algae so the they can graze on.

 

[gotpancit]

Do you guys think two 400W mh and two 96w PC actinics will do? I have a second chance offer on one locally from flea bay for that set up in a 48" for $100.
Since my tank is 72" long that leaves me one foot short on each side. Do you think that will be a problem?

 

[gotpancit]

Originally Posted by gotpancit
http:///forum/post/2966826
Do you guys think two 400W mh and two 96w PC actinics will do? I have a second chance offer on one locally from flea bay for that set up in a 48" for $100.
Since my tank is 72" long that leaves me one foot short on each side. Do you think that will be a problem?
oh yeah they are hamilton ballasts and the bulbs are said to be nearing the end of their life span.

 

[pleasants9]

i personally kept my flourescant bulb on my 55 FOWLER tank to keep me from buying corals. as a college student the only way to keep my from buying corals was to make my tank uninhabitable by them.

 

[gotpancit]

Originally Posted by pleasants9
http:///forum/post/2967064
i personally kept my flourescant bulb on my 55 FOWLER tank to keep me from buying corals. as a college student the only way to keep my from buying corals was to make my tank uninhabitable by them.
yeah now that i think of it, this does give me an excuse to start buying corals haha