125 FOWLR build

No. Normal bulbs like that will be completely the wrong spectrum. And it just so happens they are the same spectrum that algae loves
I would suggest T5's, even if it is a FO. They use less energy than PC's, and the bulbs will last twice as long. They will pay for themselves over PC's rather quickly.

 

i'm pretty sure the bulbs i was looking at at the lfs were T12's, i diddnt even think to check and see if they had T5's. what kind of wattage should i be looking at? i think the single 36" T5 ballast at home depot had 34 watts, but i could be wrong. could that work?

~Will.

 

You COULD just stick with NO t5, and save more $$ on both the fixture and the energy bill.
Just grab acouple white and blue lamps and you will be set.

 

do the T5 NO (normal output?) bulbs / fixtures have the same spectrum of algae bloom suckness?

~Will.

 

Nice build. Keep the pics coming.

 

i really wanted to get the stand 100% today, but stupid work got in the way. i got it all sanded down and painted yesterday, and today it got siliconed and poly'd and 1 door hung. maybe tomorrow it will get done and i can get it home and start aquascaping.



the canopy has taken a back seat as i'm still not 100% sure if the normal output t5 ballasts will be ok to light it without an algae bloom. i picked up a moon light set i cant wait to hook up, but it'll have to wait till after i get the stand done and the setup back to the house.

~Will.

 

and the stand is done!!! the tank and stand are heading back home tonight while the canopy still needs alot of work. after i get home from the gym i can finally start aquascaping and start this thing started up.



i think i got my lighting all figured out. the plan is 4 36" double NO T5 fixtures with these 2 bulbs - 10,000k, and Actinic . for the time being its only going to be 2 double fixtures (2 of each bulb) and i'll add the rest later if needed. does that sound ok? i'll also be adding the moon lights as soon as I get the canopy where i want it.

~Will.

 

that sounds good for fowlr, Will. You're doing a very good job too! K+

 

thanks very much for all the positive reinforcement so far everyone. the t5 fixtures i got had normal bulbs in them, should i trash them, or keep them on the tank untill i get my nice ones? the live rock i picked up has all kinds of purple awesomeness all over it and i would like to try to preserve it as best i can.

~Will.

 

No, you need to get aquarium bulbs, or it will just ignite a serious algae problem. You would be much better off losing some coralline rather than dealing with a horrid algae issue