lighting

any broz have any idea what's a good guideline for doing the lighting of a FOWLR tank? i'm in the process of getting a 2ft tank which is about 14 US gallons so i'm thinking of getting 2x36W either FL or PL white light,then maybe add one blue tube later.Not thinking of putting any corals, coz if i do i probably will get a T5. So basically for a 14 gallon tank, would 72W of PL or FL be ok if only FOWLR?

Cheerz

[KaLiB]

For FOWLR, any lighting would do so long as it pleases your eye. No need to get PLs, simple FL tubes would be good enough.

In fact, you can have just 1 white and blue tube, 2x15W. The blue to balance out the white so the tank would look ok and not too yellowish. 72W of light is more than enough for FOWLR and even for simple corals like mushrooms.

Many ppls cannot resist adding in some corals, I think u can go for T5 light straight away instead of upgrading in future. It will save u some $$.

In the past when there wasn't any T5 lights, many reefers started with FL, then PL and finally MH....think abt how much they can save if they bought MH in the first place. T5 seems to be pretty good all rounder, suitable for clams and SPS as well.

if i were to only use one FL tube, which type would u all recommend?
I'm currently using white light and it really looks yellowish.
Will combining white and blue tubes make the sand bed look white? cos i've seen setups with whitish sandbed

Originally Posted by kinjeh

if i were to only use one FL tube, which type would u all recommend?
I'm currently using white light and it really looks yellowish.
Will combining white and blue tubes make the sand bed look white? cos i've seen setups with whitish sandbed

for what purpose? FL won't be suitable for corals. If only for FOWLR, you can add an actinic blue to achieve a whitish look.

actually it's quite true that most of us can't resist putting abit of coral in. The thing is i'm scared that once i intro the T5 the temperature shoot high high, although i think MH is lagi worse....haiz..the T5 temptation...what do u guys do anyway? 5W of white light per gallon or 5W white+blue per gallon?

5w per gallon should put you in the safe zone. An A/C fan will bring down the temp, as least for a 2 ft, but be ready to top up freshwater everyday. Avoid DC type.

Better to get T5 cos who knows? you may be bitten by the coral bug, then your set up will be ready for them.

You are gonna cook your fish with MH without a good chiller. T5 is enough for stock 2 ft tank unless yours is a custom made tall deep deep tank, which i think not given your water volume.

Originally Posted by dreamzcape

actually it's quite true that most of us can't resist putting abit of coral in. The thing is i'm scared that once i intro the T5 the temperature shoot high high, although i think MH is lagi worse....haiz..the T5 temptation...what do u guys do anyway? 5W of white light per gallon or 5W white+blue per gallon?

wattage per gallon is not really a good guide anymore If you are using FL, even 10w/gallon won't be good enough for corals.

Originally Posted by Ekia

wattage per gallon is not really a good guide anymore If you are using FL, even 10w/gallon won't be good enough for corals.

yeah understood, asked a question in another thread about the lighting and other more experienced broz told me about more detailed aspects, like how certain bulbs peak at certain wavelengths and that more wattage doesn't mean more penetration. Think i'll just live with the PLs i have first since i have them already. Depth about 1.5 so i think for FOWLR should be ok i guess. Later when the coral bug comes then i'll probably upgrade to the T5's.

Cheerz all who have helped answer my queries

Originally Posted by dreamzcape

yeah understood, asked a question in another thread about the lighting and other more experienced broz told me about more detailed aspects, like how certain bulbs peak at certain wavelengths and that more wattage doesn't mean more penetration. Think i'll just live with the PLs i have first since i have them already. Depth about 1.5 so i think for FOWLR should be ok i guess. Later when the coral bug comes then i'll probably upgrade to the T5's.

Cheerz all who have helped answer my queries

For FOWLR, no issues with lightings at all 1 FL also can...