lighting FOWLR

[llewro]

i have a 36" tank, 18" deep. i have a single bulb fluro light fitting from my freshwater days. what do you guys reccommend for lighting if i set up a FOWLR system

[Paidbychrist0825]

if yuo arent gowing to have corals, no special lighting is really needed for LR, but ore lighting will help bring out more color in the corraline algae.

[Charles Poole]

I agree. Without corals or other photosysnthetic organisms, lighting is more of a way of promoting algae growth than anything else. Most marine fish do eat algae to different degrees, so keep that in mind when feeding the tank. Without intense lighting, algae will not likely grow fast enough to meet the demands of your inhabitants, so supplementing with a marine algae of some type may be a good idea once in a while. :)

[c1ownfish]

I have had a FOWLR for years... I would suggest an actinic and a daylight bulb... I think the blue brings out the color in many of the fish!! Enjoy!!

[Charles Poole]

Very good point on coloration clownfish.... :)

Not to be ignorant, but is Malia your name?

[c1ownfish]

Yep... Malia is my first name!

[llewro]

thanks for the help, ill have to go shoping for an actinic tube

[Charles Poole]

Ok, but since my phonetic skills are not all that great, how do you pronounce your name? :)

[c1ownfish]

Ma - leah I guess that is the best way to explain it... Its from Hawaii..Means Mary..

[Charles Poole]

It sounded Hawaiian. But I wasn't to sure. :)

[Armadillo]

With lighting I have been using a double ballast so I use the acintic with a daylight.. I want to remove the glass top on my tank since I have read over and over that there is less chance of fish jumping. Also allows for better airflow over water surface?

Do you hang your lights above the tank or have you built a custom stand for them?

[Charles Poole]

I built a custom hood to accomodate 6 x 72" VHO bulbs. I also built in 2 fans to help increase air movement under the canopy to aid in surface to air gas exchange and keep the lights from over heating the tank too much... :)