Lighting for FOWLR

Sorry I don't have a reef, but thought it would fit better in this section. I currently have a 18inch 15w standard fluorescent strip light on my tank (the one that came with the set up unfortunately) You can currently see what I have below..and will soon be getting some fish, and might purchase some mushroom coral, feather dusters and polyps in the future.

I am looking for a light that mostly will be best for my livestock...but really enjoy the lighting that really makes everything glow...as Im sure we all do. I have found a "marine-glo" bulb, but not sure if it is the type that basically shows like a black light..all dark except the small amount of color that shows...

I am after a green/blue glow to the tank, not to bright or dark..and know that the bulb I currently have is too bright for my fire shrimp...can anyone suggest a single bulb that will achieve this....Or what bulbs do I need if I get a double strip light...do I need to include the anticitic? How does the day and night lighting work...do you still keep it on only ½ the day but switch in between, or would that make it so the light is on all the time?

Thanks a bunch for your help, you all are so knowledgeable....hopefully as I get more experience with the saltwater hobby, I can quick bugging you guys!

 

If you are sure you will go FO for a while NO lighting will do the trick. I think i know the bulb your talking about "marine glo" they are made by hagen. I used to have some on my 55gal. I had 2 36" 30watt power glow 10 000K and 2 36" 30watt marine glow 20 000K (those would be considered as actinic if im not mistaken). I was able to keep polyps and a finger leather coral without any problems. Im guessing mushrooms would be ok too.

As for lignting time i go for 1 hour of just actinic then 8 hours of both actinic and 10 000K then 1 more hour of just actinic for a total of 10 a day... some go as long as 12 - 14 hours and some go on the lower end like 8 to 6 hours... thats one of those things that if it works for you keep doing it.. IMO

But if you think that in the near future you may go the reef way... i would defenetally consider getting some lighting that would acomodate corals right off the bat. JMO

Marc.

 

I am going to go with what Marc has said.
The pretty blue lights are actinics. they put out a certain spectrum of light in in the 420nm range. For the corals that have certain types of zooxanthella it really makes them flouress. I turn mine on for a couple of hours before the main lights come on and then keep them on for a short time after the main lights go off. All I am trying to accomplish is a dusk to dawn effect. That and I like the way it makes some of my corals look without the metal halides beating down
BTW youre not bugging us. You're asking intelligent questions. Your Fire shrimp is not likely to come out in any type of light unless you are feeding it. That's just the way they are. So, don't let that determine what type of light you buy.
Is your tank a 20 high (24" length) or a 20 long (30 1/4" length)??
I think this would be an affordable good light for fish and low light corals. Or anything similiar. http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-24-CO...15303QQcategoryZ46314QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
This is quality pc lighting. 3 switches, 3 ballasts and fans for cooling.
Or you could go with one of the cheapies http://cgi.ebay.com/JEBO-24-110W-Po...ryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Or you could stay with what you have and save your money for some metal halides
Your choice, I just wanted to let you know there are lots of inexpensive options out there. Enjoy

Jim

 

Floresent lights are not ideal for any coral, not even soft ones. A power compact would be better and units with atinic and 1000k are the norm so you could create sun rise sun set

 

You guys are sooo awesome! Thanks for the great information! And thank you Diver for the links to lighting choices!!!! I will definitely be investing in one of those! And its the Christmas season...hehehe! Thanks again! What a great invention online forums are! Thanks again!

 

No problem dancin_trancy, thats what forums are for.

Marc.

 

I have the same issue in that I have the original hood that my 50 gallon tank came with (19" tall x 12" deep x 48" long, but split in middle by separator). I installed a 15 watt 18" 50/50 light on one side and an actinic light on the other side of the tank as an experiment to see if occupants preferred one type of light over the other, but they don't seem to care either way. I would like to purchase a "real" hood such as the power compacts mentioned within the next six months, but am not sure they make the size I need or where to get the two glass hoods (since there is a centered separator as mentioned) to keep fish in and water from splashing on the lights).

 

you can also add LED blue 420nm strips with those lights as well for cheap.. just fyi