what lights are good for a FOWLR

[runn3rb3an]

I have a 90 gallon fowlr tank with one single bulbe t8 light on it thats used and I have no idea how many years its been on there for. I just picked up a
48'' light fixture, a solarmax HE with 2 t5s and 4 led lights, it has a 10,000 k daylight lamp and an "actinic 03 lamp". anyway I was really exited about these lights but they absolutley suck. there horrible, so much worse than the t8s.
I wanna return these and get some other lights that make my fish look really nice and are about 100 bucks, what should I be looking for?
My lfs had something like a 36 inch led marineland system for 100 bucks. would I be better of with those?

 

[kylev]

I dont have extensive experience with lighting but my impression is that any light setup for $100 on a 90g fish tank are not going to accent your fish to well, sorry to bare bad news but I'd keep the lights you have and save up

 

[runn3rb3an]

I wanna spend like 150 at most. My t8s are decent but I think for a more expensive fixture I should get brighter lights? am I missing something

 

[kylev]

i'd say typically the more you spend the better you get but i cant give you a correct answer as far as how much you need to spend for a FOWLR tank because i'm kinda in the same boat of making a decision on how i want to light the new tank im in the brainstorming process on

 

[runn3rb3an]

Cool thank you.
Anybody have any other ideas? I'm really thinking about that led system...
Either way I would like to pick something up tmrw!

 

[kylev]

Talk to your lfs and see if they got any used lights as well

 

[crypt keeper]

the light you posted is fine. i run a Current Orbit same everything PC with two 10k white lights and twin actinics. Help with coraline and the other neat little things that may grow on rocks. Will support some zoa's and mushrooms if you ever get them. They are cheap and worth a shot. make any take better looking if the fish dont eat em.
Get a better fixture. I think $100 is pushing it unless you find use then replace the bulbs.

 

[runn3rb3an]

Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3211516
the light you posted is fine. i run a Current Orbit same everything PC with two 10k white lights and twin actinics. Help with coraline and the other neat little things that may grow on rocks. Will support some zoa's and mushrooms if you ever get them. They are cheap and worth a shot. make any take better looking if the fish dont eat em.
Get a better fixture. I think $100 is pushing it unless you find use then replace the bulbs.
Which fixture are you talking about? Kinda looking for a new one but I guess I'll see wut the lfs has tmrw.

 

[crypt keeper]

Current USA Orbit Power Compact Light, 4x65 watt 2 daylight bulbs and 2 actnic bulbs plus Lunar LED lights.
The bulbs are 10k. It has fans built in they are very quiet. The 4 leds for lunar lighst work great.
Its about $250 brand new. Its a great Fowlr light IMO.

 

[runn3rb3an]

Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3211557
Current USA Orbit Power Compact Light, 4x65 watt 2 daylight bulbs and 2 actnic bulbs plus Lunar LED lights.
The bulbs are 10k. It has fans built in they are very quiet. The 4 leds for lunar lighst work great.
Its about $250 brand new. Its a great Fowlr light IMO.
Ok I'll check it out thanks. Any other suggestions?

 

[btldreef]

Whichever you choose, try different nm range bulbs fir the actinics. For ex, I really like the way the colirs of my fish pop with Coralife's 420nm actinic and their 460royal blue actinic. One of each w/ 2 10k daykights will be more than enough on a fowlr and youll get colors to pop.
Used lighting is all over MR for cheap, look there.

 

[runn3rb3an]

ok thanks. I'm gunna go see what don has again today and if theres nothing good I'll check out mr

 

[aquaknight]

Metal Halides

 

[sean48183]

remember whatever you get your algae growth will increase along with it and in a fowlr it can get pretty messy. I think your t8 light would be fine just add a couple more bulbs and you would be right there. Mix 10k with blue ones and your good to go.

 

[albm]

http://sunlightsupply.com/hort/produ...le=Fluorescent Lighting&type=product
check those out they are made by the same company as tek just not as fancy and for a different purpose but everything is good for it to be on a tank a buddy told me of these and im getting them its wicked lighting to make your fowlr look good and for next to nothing

 

[albm]

5 year warranty on those lights aswell

 

[99ford]

Im contemplating doing the same for my tank, IMO the lighting systems designed specifically for tanks are severely overpriced. Im not sure if your a DIY kinda person but for me personally to replace the current T8, in my 29 gallon, with 2XHOT5 bulbs would only run me around 40 bucks. I personally like DIY stuff because it saves a lot of money and can let you manipulate your lighting system to fit your needs

 

[runn3rb3an]

I ended up going with a GLO fixture with two go t5 lights and they look pretty nice
Thanks for all of the replys though everyone I will keep them in mind for the future.

 

[hammerhed7]

if you have a canopy I would retrofit 2 48" T12 VHO's in actinic white this would be more than enough light and much cheaper as well if your the do it yourself type. Alot of people knock the old school VHO's but they put off outstanding light, and last much longer than other bulbs. I have 2 72" VHO's over my 220, and they put out alot of light, I also put a 400 w halide in the center that I turn on once in a while.
If you dont want to go that route power compacts would also be a good choice.

 

[crypt keeper]

post pics or all lies LOL!